For many of us who are both transgender and Christian, the journey of reconciling these parts of ourselves can feel like an unending struggle. Growing up, I was taught to love God with all my heart, soul, and mind. But at the same time, I felt like there was this “otherness” within me—my true self—something that I feared would conflict with the very faith I was raised in. I loved God, but I wasn’t sure if God could love me as I was.
As a child, the idea of identity was not something I questioned in a deep, existential way. But as I grew older, I began to realize that the person I was becoming didn’t align with the expectations of the church and its teachings about gender, sexuality, and identity. I found myself caught in the tension between the love and acceptance I felt in my faith and the identity I was beginning to recognize within myself. This conflict wasn’t just external—it was deeply internal.
I had to navigate the space between my authentic self and the version of myself I felt I had to be in order to belong. When I looked around the church, I didn’t see anyone like me. There was no one I could point to as an example of someone who was both trans and fully embraced by their faith community. This lack of representation led to feelings of isolation and confusion. Was I even allowed to be a Christian and be true to myself?
It wasn’t just about the fear of rejection from others; it was also about reconciling the religious beliefs I held dear with the reality of who I was. The messages I heard—whether directly or indirectly—made me believe that I couldn’t be both. There were constant reminders that the church’s stance on LGBTQ+ people was rooted in what they believed to be biblical truth. These interpretations were often weaponized in ways that made me feel like I had to choose: either my faith or my true self.
But over time, I came to realize that duality wasn’t a contradiction, but a reality that I had to embrace. I had to learn to make peace with both parts of my identity. This process wasn’t immediate. It required me to question deeply ingrained beliefs, challenge harmful theology, and, most importantly, build a relationship with God that didn’t depend on human expectations.
One verse that helped me on this journey is John 3:16, which says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This verse underscores a powerful truth: the invitation to believe in God’s love is extended to everyone, regardless of their identity. There is no asterisk or condition attached to God’s love; it’s for all who believe. This reassurance helped me see that I didn’t need to change who I was to be worthy of that love.
Learning to accept both my faith and my identity has been one of the most liberating experiences of my life. I’ve come to see that the core message of Christianity—love, grace, acceptance—does not demand that I change who I am to receive God’s love. Rather, I am loved as I am, and I am able to share that love with others, just as Christ did with everyone He encountered.
Ultimately, this struggle has taught me that I don’t have to choose between who I am and what I believe. I can be both—a Christian and a trans person. My identity is a reflection of God’s creativity, not a deviation from His plan. And I believe that my faith is strengthened, not diminished, by embracing my full self.
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