Resources for Transgender Day of Visibility
On March 31, International Transgender Day of Visibility celebrates transgender and non-binary people. The Covenant Network of Presbyterians offers several resources for congregations seeking to better understand and support transgender and non-binary siblings in Christ.
While the resources listed below represent newer offerings, CNP’s resource library contains many additional resources to help equip churches in welcoming gender-diverse neighbors.
If your church is seeking a resource not listed below, view all of CNP’s resources here or let us know what additional offerings would be helpful.
Liturgical Resources
A prayer of blessing authored by the Rev. TJ Remaley, Co-Moderator of CNP's Board of Directors, is available for free use in congregations.
A poem published by Slats Toole, CNP Co-Moderator, from their collection Queering Lent, also offers meaningful language for churches recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility.
A collection of hymns, Songs for the Holy Other, contains hymns by CNP staff and others specifically uplifting gender-diverse experiences.
Educational Resources
Workshop: Uncovering Queer & Trans People in the Bible
This workshop from Covenant Conversation: Twin Cities Area examined overlooked queer and trans narratives in biblical texts. The workshop was led by Jimmy Hoke, M.Div., Ph.D., who researches and teaches at the intersections of queer and trans studies, feminist studies, classics, and Biblical Studies.
Supporting Queer Youth in Churches
At Covenant Conversation: East Iowa/Great Rivers, the Rev. Katie Styrt and Slats Toole provided church leaders and congregants with the tools to create a welcoming and supportive environment for LGBTQIA+ youth in their faith communities. Participants explored the challenges faced by queer youth, learned inclusive practices, and developed strategies for fostering understanding and advocating for queer youth within the church.
Practical Resources for Congregations
Welcoming Diversity and Gender-Inclusive Church Facilities
This guide offers concrete suggestions for churches exploring more accessible restroom facilities for transgender, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming church members.
Why Pronoun Pins?
This downloadable brochure, printable on half sheets, introduces pronoun pins as a way to embody Christ's love and warmly welcome all people. The document comes in Word format, allowing for easy editing by congregations who are incorporating pronouns on nametags instead of pins.
PC(USA) and CNP Board Statement
In 2018, the 223rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) unanimously affirmed "the full welcome, acceptance, and inclusion of transgender people, people who identify as gender non-binary, and people of all gender identities within the full life of the church and the world." Read the full text of the overture from New Castle Presbytery here.
In response to federal government actions affecting transgender and non-binary persons, the CNP Board of Directors recently issued a statement that reads in part:
"The Covenant Network of Presbyterians calls on the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly and the Office of Public Witness (Washington Office) to speak an unequivocal and prophetic word confronting the federal government's actions as they affect transgender and non-binary people. We hope for the implementation of this clear directive of the church's highest council for the benefit of children of God who are being hurt every day by the federal government's actions." The full statement can be downloaded here as a PDF.
These resources are provided to support congregations in creating spaces of welcome, affirmation, and celebration for people of all gender identities. As the General Assembly declared in 2018, "The image of God expansively and specifically includes people of all gender identities including transgender, cisgender, gender non-binary people, and people of all gender expressions."