A call for understanding and empathy
The Board of Directors of the Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ was deeply saddened and concerned over recent, widely publicized remarks about gender identity made during a Vermont Senate discussion. These remarks represented anachronistic, misinformed, and hateful views toward transgender persons, denying their dignity and humanity.
As gains have been made over the years for the lesbian, gay, and bisexual community, it seems that transgender individuals have become the new recipients of persecution and ignorance. Trans people are singled out as special targets of the fear and lack of understanding that lead to bias and discrimination in words, actions, and legislation.
Statements were made on the floor of the Vermont Senate insinuating that relationships involving transgender persons are akin to human beings entering into relationships with animals. These misinformed tropes used to be applied to all same sex relationships, arguing against civil unions and later same-sex marriage.
Such remarks demonstrate a fundamental lack of understanding of and empathy for those who experience gender dysphoria and who seek to find their authentic selves through processes which medical science supports. As people of faith who believe in a loving God who has created all persons in the divine image and likeness and accords dignity, respect, and love toward all, we find these outdated, hateful insinuations appalling.
We call on our legislators to demonstrate their own humanity by seeking to understand and to empathize with those who experience their gender identity and sexuality differently from them, so that they can treat all Vermonters with the dignity and compassion these persons deserve.
Karen Lipinczyk, Windsor
Lipinczyk wrote on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ.