Across the country, we are witnessing a renewed and coordinated effort to restrict and criminalize gender-affirming care for transgender and gender-expansive young people. Just yesterday the U.S. House passed legislation that would make it a federal crime for doctors—and in some cases parents—to support gender-affirming medical care for minors, despite the consensus of major medical organizations that such care can be appropriate and lifesaving when provided responsibly, as reported by
The Guardian and CNN.  

As NPR reports, efforts to restrict gender-affirming care increasingly rely on misinformation and alarmist language, sidelining medical expertise and the lived realities of transgender youth and their families.  

These attacks rely on misleading language about “protecting children,” while disregarding the voices of parents, medical professionals, and faith leaders who know that denying care causes real harm. Reporting from Out Magazine highlights how these proposals would criminalize doctors, terrify families, and further isolate transgender youth rather than protect them.  

Research consistently shows that affirming care reduces anxiety, depression, and suicide risk among gender-diverse youth, while forced denial increases distress and danger—realities that are too often absent from political debate. (Mental Health Outcomes in Transgender and Nonbinary Youths Receiving Gender-Affirming Care)

In this moment, Open and Affirming churches are being called to something deeper than politeness or symbolic inclusion. Open and affirming churches can and should provide hope—not merely through welcome (WELCOME IS NOT ENOUGH), but through affirmation, protection, education, and sustained commitment. This means clearly naming gender-expansive people as beloved by God, offering concrete pastoral care to families navigating fear and uncertainty, and grounding our communities in theology that resists shame and exclusion.

Across the country, Open and Affirming congregations are doing this work every day. They are accompanying families who are frightened. They are educating their members in the midst of misinformation. They are showing—through action—that faith can be a source of life rather than harm. But this work requires support. Churches need resources, coaching, training, and theological tools to respond faithfully and courageously—especially in places where political pressure makes affirmation costly.

That is why the work of the Open and Affirming Coalition matters now more than ever.

At the heart of this movement is a simple truth: every person is BELOVED.

From now through December 31, 2025, your generosity can help that truth shine even brighter. The Coalition has received a 2-for-1 matching grant from a generous supporter. When our community raises $10,000, the donor will add $20,000—bringing $30,000 of support, strength, and hope to this movement.

Because this is a true 2-for-1 match, every contribution is tripled:
• A gift of $25 becomes $75
• A gift of $100 becomes $300
• A gift of $1,000 becomes $3,000

Your support directly fuels the coaching, education, advocacy, and resources churches rely on to affirm gender-expansive people and their families with clarity and courage—especially in a time when care is being politicized and compassion is being criminalized.

Every contribution—large or small—strengthens the ministry that strengthens all of us.

Will you join us? Will you help grow The Beloved Fund and triple your impact today?

Give here:
https://openandaffirming.networkforgood.com/projects/265515-the-beloved-fund-2-for-1matching-grant

With gratitude and resolve,

Rev. Derek Terry
Acting Executive Director
Open and Affirming Coalition of the UCC

Today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth is a moral failure and a heartbreaking injustice. This ruling abandons vulnerable children and their families to the political whims of state governments, disregarding the lived realities, medical consensus, and human dignity of transgender youth.

As people of faith committed to justice and radical inclusion, the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ grieves this ruling and the harm it inflicts. We reject the idea that any government has the right to deny life-saving, evidence-based healthcare because of a young person’s gender identity. We reject a theology that would permit such cruelty. And we reject the misuse of power that seeks to control, erase, and endanger trans lives.

This decision is not just a legal setback—it is a spiritual wound. Trans and nonbinary youth are beloved children of God, created in the divine image, worthy of care, protection, and the fullness of life. Every attack on their rights is an attack on the sacredness of creation itself.

We are clear: Our trans and nonbinary siblings are not alone. We will not abandon you. The church, when it is truly living into the Gospel, must stand with the marginalized, defend the oppressed, and speak boldly against unjust laws. We remain steadfast in our commitment to creating sanctuaries of love, safety, and affirmation—especially in states where this care is now banned.

This ruling does not end the fight. It intensifies our call to action.

We call on every Open and Affirming congregation to:

• Preach and teach boldly that trans lives are sacred.
• Create concrete safety plans for supporting trans youth and families.
• Partner with local advocacy groups working on legal, medical, and emotional support.
• Proclaim without apology that our faith compels us to resist hatred in all its forms.

To our transgender and nonbinary youth: You are not a political issue. You are not a debate. You are loved, needed, and holy. We see you. We fight for you. We will never stop.

Let justice roll down. Let love rise up. And let the church be known not for silence, but for sacred resistance.

Rev. Derek Terry
Acting Executive Director
Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ