A Methodist pastor in the United States has come out as transgender to her congregation in a heartfelt sermon, declaring, “The best way to put this is that I’m not becoming a woman, I’m giving up pretending to be a man.”
Pastor Phillippa Phaneuf of the North Chili United Methodist Church in Rochester, New York, used the final ten minutes of the November 23 worship service to explain to her congregation what her transition will mean for them.
“I am inviting you to join me in a season of creative transformation for myself,” she said, “and, I think, for all of us.”
Phaneuf shared that she already has the support of the United Methodist Church, her district superintendent, the bishop, and even the scripture itself.
“Did you know that there are eight different Hebrew words for different gender types?” she asked, emphasizing, “In the ancient Hebrew they recognized at least eight different gender types.”
She described the joy she has experienced since beginning hormone replacement therapy three months ago, insisting it could not possibly be something God disapproves of.
“Imagine if your doctor came and told you that your quality and outlook on life could transform exponentially to the positive. Would you listen to that doctor? If you felt God’s Holy Spirit surrounding you in ways that you haven’t felt in years, would you have a sense that that might be something that God was okay with?”
Acknowledging that some might feel nervous or shocked, she added, “Because really what it comes down to is awareness. So let’s just be aware and recognize the fact that there can often be, in these kinds of situations, the fear of the unknown.”
Phaneuf then clarified what would change and what would remain the same. While her appearance, voice, clothing, and pronouns will change, she reassured her congregation:
“What will stay the same,” she said, “is my commitment to the good news of Jesus Christ, our togetherness in ministry, (unfortunately for all of you) my personality, my style of teaching, my style of preaching, my adhd brain type (you’re welcome), my sense of humor – none of that is changing.”
She also highlighted a positive potential outcome of her transition, suggesting the church could become “an even safer space for people who have felt marginalized.”
“Notice what I said, an even safer space. I didn’t say that we’ll become that, because I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing now unless I had felt the love and support from all of you.”
Phaneuf shared that her parents “were absolutely not” supportive and asked her to tell the congregation, “They texted me this morning, and they asked for me to tell you all that they do not support me, and that they have chosen their convictions and their beliefs over supporting their child.”
Despite this, she expressed confidence that even hesitant congregants will come to accept her as they witness her happiness.
“That’s what we want for the people in our lives, isn’t it?” she asked.
She also praised the UMC’s May 2024 decision to end its ban on LGBTQ+ clergy.
At the church’s General Conference, delegates voted 692-51 to remove the ban, also passing a measure prohibiting penalties for clergy who choose to perform same-sex weddings or refuse to perform them.
The Methodist Church has been steadily moving toward LGBTQ+ inclusivity, leading to thousands of congregations leaving the denomination for being insufficiently anti-LGBTQ+.
In 2019, the UMC allowed churches to disaffiliate through the end of 2023 over objections to changes in the Book of Discipline regarding homosexuality or same-sex marriage.
According to the United Methodist News Service, 7,286 congregations nationwide, more than one in five, have been approved to disaffiliate since 2019, with over 5,000 leaving in 2023 alone.
