There have been an awful lot of headlines about transgender issues recently – from trans athletes competing in sports, to states banning hormone treatments for youth. But how is this topic approached in faith circles?
Across churches, courtrooms, and social media today, Christians are passionately debating what Scripture says (or doesn’t say) about gender identity.
Some point to verses they believe affirm binary gender as part of God’s design. Others argue the Bible contains surprising examples of gender diversity, nuance, and compassion for those who don’t fit conventional molds. And transgender Christians themselves are stepping forward to share how their faith and identity coexist.
So what does the Bible actually say? And how are believers interpreting those words today?
What’s In the Text?
There is no Bible verse that addresses transgender people directly (if only it were that simple). Maybe the concept didn’t exist in ancient Hebrew or Greek culture, or perhaps those societies just didn’t have the words to describe it.
In any case, that hasn’t stopped folks on both sides of the conversation from highlighting Bible passages that they claim support their views.
Bible Verses Cited Against Trans Identity
Deuteronomy 22:5: “A woman shall not wear a man’s garment, nor shall a man put on a woman’s cloak…” This verse is often cited by conservative Christians as evidence that gender roles are fixed and divinely assigned.
Genesis 1:27: “Male and female He created them.” For some, this verse reinforces the idea of a gender binary as part of God’s intentional creation.
Romans 1:26–27 and Leviticus 18:22 are frequently invoked in broader LGBTQ+ debates, though these focus more on sexuality than gender identity.
Bible Verses Cited In Support
Matthew 19:12: Jesus references eunuchs – those “who were born that way,” “made so by others,” or who “choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.” Some interpret this as acknowledgment of people who live outside traditional gender categories.
Acts 8:26–40: The story of the Ethiopian eunuch is often read as a moment of radical inclusion. Philip baptizes him without hesitation, despite the eunuch's ambiguous gender status in biblical terms.
Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Many affirming Christians interpret this as support for transcending rigid identity categories in spiritual life.
Psalm 139:13–14 is also used to affirm God’s love and intentional creation of each person, including transgender individuals. It says: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
“No Such Thing as Trans People”
In some Christian circles, there is outright hostility toward trans people.
Prominent evangelical leaders like Franklin Graham have frequently spoken out against transgender rights. In a 2023 essay, he went ever further, writing that “there is no such thing as a transgender person.”
Kevin DeYoung, a pastor and author, similarly argues that “the Bible believes in the organic unity of biological sex and gender identity.” In his view, any deviation is the result of cultural confusion, not divine intention.
And in the UK, opposition to transgender identity has become a religion of its own.
Gender Views Run Deep
For some Christians, the very notion of a transgender identity is anti-biblical – and supersedes politics or any other affiliations. When Christian journalist David French recently congratulated Jessica Riedl, a transgender economist, on taking a new job, religious users on X piled on to accuse French of betraying Christ’s teachings. Riedl also shot back at critics:
Riedl continued: “As for the angry fake Christians … God is surely more concerned with how viciously they treat the poor, immigrants, refugees, and even the LGBT - than he is about how I handle a gender medical condition I was born with.
Any sane reading of the New Testament confirms that these judgmental, cruel, hate-filled people will have more to answer for before God than I will.”
Related: Transgender Pastor Sues Church After Getting Fired For Coming Out
Taking a Welcoming Approach
On the other side of the spectrum, many progressive-minded congregations welcome trans members. Some pastors have even blessed name changes and offered spiritual support to trans congregants.
Affirming pastors and theologians emphasize that just as Jesus consistently welcomed those who were marginalized or misunderstood, so should they.
These supporters believe that the Bible’s core messages are love, dignity, and justice – and that applies to transgender people, too.
Among the major congregations to embrace transgender members: the Church of England, which voted overwhelmingly to accept trans people back in 2018.
When Faith and Identity Collide
One important point that came up in the course of my research: regardless of how you interpret the scripture, transgender Christians exist. Some exist in leadership roles.
To name a few:
- Paula Stone Williams, a former evangelical megachurch leader, came out as transgender and now preaches inclusivity and reconciliation.
- Erin Swenson, a Presbyterian minister, transitioned while serving her congregation in the 1990s – becoming one of the first openly trans clergy in the U.S.
- Cameron Partridge, a theologian and Episcopal priest, made headlines when he preached at the Washington National Cathedral as an openly transgender man.
If scripture can be interpreted in multiple ways on this controversial issue, where do we go from here?
17 comments
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Reverend Paula Copp
How about Matthew 7:1, “ judge not, that ye be not judged”? Jesus was a woke socialist. The “evangelical christians” are no more christian than I. (I’m a pagan witch). I’m also a lesbian. There is no reason to castigate others for living the lives god gave them. For the love of god, let them be who they need to be without fear!
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Lionheart
The reality is that we really don't know what Jesus was, assuming he was real of course. It's clear that the historians that wrote about him, that never knew him, portrayed him to possibly be a woke socialist. I doubt his dad was woke, judging by the Sodom and Gomorrah fable. 🤭
🦁♥️
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Echo
Just some reference not discussed but fully relevant is in the Talmud. Rabbi Law from the Jewish faith, which Christianity is developed from.
The Talmud, a central text in Jewish law and tradition, recognizes more than just the two traditional genders of male and female. It includes descriptions of eight gender categories, which include Zachar (male), Nekeva (female), Androgynos (both male and female characteristics), Tumtum (indeterminate sex), Aylonit hamah (female to male naturally), Aylonit adam (female to male through intervention), Saris hamah (male to female naturally), and Saris adam (male to female through intervention)
Here's a breakdown of the Talmudic genders: Zachar (זָכָר): Male. Nekeva (נְקֵבָה): Female. Androgynos (אנדרוגינוס): An individual possessing both male and female sexual characteristics. Tumtum (טומטום): An individual whose sex is not readily apparent due to obscured or undeveloped genitalia. Aylonit hamah (איילונית חמה): A female who does not develop typical female secondary sex characteristics at puberty and is assumed to be infertile. Aylonit adam (איילונית אדם): A female who develops male characteristics through human intervention. Saris hamah (סריס חמה): A male who does not develop typical male secondary sex characteristics at puberty and is presumed infertile. Saris adam (סריס אדם): A male who develops female characteristics through human intervention. It's important to note that these are not simply modern interpretations, but rather categories explicitly discussed within the Talmudic texts themselves. While the Talmud acknowledges these varied genders, it's also important to understand that they carry specific legal ramifications within Jewish law.
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Evone Payton Banks (Minister non denominational)
Again we see the norm of quotes from the Bible some including Jesus.. when he would have sat with them in love. The checking of Peter comes to mind after being questioned about go to drink and relax with "those people".
This issue has always caused controversial things and events... But I beg to slip in. Why is just the slave based Christianity Bible used? That's the Bible that got people killed. Where's the teachers Bible? The one before inequality leaked it's way on to the pages.
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Robert Hauck, MD, FAAP
The bottom line (as stated by a preceding commentator): Jesus welcomed those who were marginalized or misunderstood, and promoted a life of love, dignity, and justice.
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Clay Serenbetz
The Bible says nothing about transgender individuals, as medical science had not advanced enough to create transgender persons 2,000 years ago, nor were transgender persons contemplated by anyone at that time.
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Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
The only Christian Bible that patriotic USA’ns should use, is the Thomas Jefferson Bible, which is used exclusively by the Christian portion of the SHP denomination of my ULC ministry. And the ULC sells the Jefferson Bible, so there’s no excuse for those in the ULC ministry to not use it — exclusively. And, because there were no LGBT:s when Jefferson edited his Bible, nor when the Jesus-myth was concocted by Saul — who morphed into St.Paul (the founder of Christianity) LGBT:s (if they use a Christian Bible - the TJ Bible is the recommended way to go,)
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Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
In order for today’s Christians to “self-identity” to successfully “love one’s neighbor” one must live in places such as “Ave Maria” Florida, which was established with the expectation that anyone wanting to live there, would be a raved, zealous Roman Catholic; ergo, so would, expectedly, one’s neighbors. In other words, to love one’s neighbor, your neighbors must be members of the same tribe you are.
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Minister Tim
I read this last night. As a trans man (and a witch) I waited till today to comment as it very much angered me. Christians need to listen up. We are real, we exist and we are quite sick and tired of you using your “book” to say if there is justification of our existence. Y’all need to understand that you are not the only religion, even in this country. You can’t use your religious beliefs to say we don’t deserve to exist. Just bloody stop. I don’t share your religious beliefs so stop. Nothing you or your book say is going to stop us from existing. What’s next? Having us burned at the stake? Stay in your lane and do something about those folks in your church that molest kids. Blessed be.
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Robert Gagnon
One social construct trying to manipulate another. You really think the one name becoming dead and the rebirth as another sex is coincidental? This is a well thought out invasive social movement based on a few publicity seeking doctors 60 years ago. Both are faith based, both sides twist the narrative for their own purpose. Just depends on which side you choose, or just say like church Lady, "well, isn't that special?" and watch the show.
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Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox
“Invasive social movement based on a few publicity seeking doctors 60 years ago?” You’re suggesting that transgender human beings were “invented” 60 years ago? More like “religion is an invasive social construct invented by human beings to control other human beings.”
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John P Maher
AMEN REV. COPP, THERE IN LIES THE TRUTH if its in the BIBLE its BEEN HERE FOREVER, HAS ANYONE EVER DIED FROM IT ???
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Brent Jude LeBouef
As we look to decide on this topic, it is a topic that we should not be concerned about. We love God and love people. We as people are not perfect. Christ came for all, confused or not confused. Jesus loves all.
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Brent Jude LeBouef
We will put ourselves as righteous and judge topics that will harden our hearts, protect our friends, and love them as they are.
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Rebecca L Tice
I just started a Bible Study in the Book of Acts. I'm actually looking for the beginning of the Apostate Church.
So, let me leave you a link to the Bible Study and my take on it....
https://forums.somd.com/threads/god-loves-eunuchs-too.411654/
I've been using these forums for years. I've never had a problem.
Have a happy 4th.
Love your neighbor...
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Stuart ball
The uk is out of control at the moment I dare not say anymore
The bottom line (as stated by a preceding commentator): Jesus welcomed those who were marginalized or misunderstood, and promoted a life of love, dignity, and justice.