LGBTQ advocates say Mormon church’s new transgender policies marginalize trans members

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LGBTQ advocates say ******* *******’s new transgender policies marginalize trans members

The ******* of ****** ******* of Latter-day Saints has disheartened LGBTQ+ activists after issuing a slew of new policies this week that would significantly restrict the role of its transgender members.

The guidelines were released Monday as part of updates to the General Handbook of the denomination known widely as the ******* *******. Its new rules, in addition to expanding on an existing rule that prevents transgender people from being baptized, also prohibit transgender people from working with children or serving as priests or teachers.

The

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states that those “who transition away from their biological **** at birth are welcome to attend ********** meetings” and participate in “many other ways”. It also encourages these individuals and their families to confer with local leaders regarding their ******* participation. The new guidelines, however, significantly limit such participation.

The policy now states that members who have transitioned in any way — whether that transition is social, medical or surgical — cannot stay at youth camps overnight and may only use single-occupancy restrooms at ******* meetinghouses. Alternatively, a “trusted person” must be stationed outside the restroom to keep others from entering when a transgender person uses a restroom that aligns with their personal gender identity.

The latest edition of the General Handbook while defining and reaffirming gender as one’s biological **** at birth, also states that the ****** does not “take a position on the causes of” gender dysphoria.

Previously, the interpretation of the *******’s policies on this matter were left open to local congregations, their bishops and lay leaders. These new guidelines clarify most of those gray areas.

******* spokesperson Doug Andersen pointed to a statement released by the denomination, which says the updated guidelines were issued “to help local leaders minister more effectively to individuals who identify as transgender and their families.”

It states that the changes, in addition clarifying guidance on baptism, confirmation, priesthood and temple ordinances, aims to “ensure consistency in policies while allowing local leaders flexibility to minister based on each person’s needs.”

“Handbook updates seek to help Latter-day Saints follow ****** *******’s example of ministering with love, patience and respect,” Andersen said.

LGBTQ+ advocates within the ****** say these stringent guidelines further marginalize transgender people who already feel like outsiders in *******. Laurie Lee Hall, a transgender woman

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after she transitioned, said the new guidelines make it challenging for people like her to keep the ******.

“The door seems shut and bolted,” she said Friday.

Hall, who lives near Louisville, Kentucky, said she has been participating in a local ******* ******* that has been welcoming and inclusive by even allowing her to participate in classes and activities with women.

“While I’ve had some separation from the ******* in terms of my membership and beliefs, I’ve enjoyed at least a social connection with the women at *******,” Hall said. “Now, none of that is going to be possible.”

The new guidelines would require her to attend classes with men.

“I’d attend ******* in dress, shoes and makeup and be required to site with a bunch of men wearing suits,” Hall said. “It would put a target on me as someone who is severely off-script.”

What offends Hall more than that is the *******’s policy that transgender people won’t be allowed to work with children or youth, or that they need chaperones to use a bathroom of their choice.

“It implies that a trans member is somehow a danger to others,” she said. “It’s dehumanizing and far too toxic to handle for members who are still in the process of reconciling their gender identity with their ******.”

The new guidelines surfaced even as the denomination, over the past decade-plus, has tried to stake out a more compassionate approach on LGBTQ+ issues while reaffirming its doctrinal opposition to intimacy between people in same-**** relationships. The one detour from that path was in 2015 when the ******* issued rules that banned baptisms for children of gay parents and that labeled same-**** couples as sinners eligible for expulsion. Those were repealed in 2019.

Matthew Bowman, who is the Howard W. Hunter Chair of ******* Studies at Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California, said the new transgender guidelines are “unsurprising” and have been a long time coming.

“This has been a real struggle for members for a long time since the 1970s and 1980s when the ******* took a ************* stance on homosexuality,” he said. “Those members are accustomed to the ******* being unwilling to accommodate and being reluctant to adapt. But, having it spelled out like this is painful.”

Hall says she still hopes the ******* will change direction as it did when it rescinded a ban on ordination of ******** Americans. She also worries that if this trajectory of exclusion continues, more people could leave the ******.

“It’s going to be a while before a legitimate social policy change occurs in the *******,” she said. “If that continues, there is going to be generational loss because young people are not going to accept these draconian policies. All of this is completely avoidable if only the ******* can simply say we love you and we’ll find ways to include you.”

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with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

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#LGBTQ #advocates #******* #churchs #transgender #policies #marginalize #trans #members

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