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This week, Speaker Mike Johnson announced a policy banning transgender women from using bathrooms in the Capitol that match their gender identity. Let’s be honest—this isn’t about bathrooms. It’s about control. It’s about declaring that trans people don’t belong. And it’s part of a much larger, coordinated wave of anti-LGBTQ+ policies aimed at dehumanizing, erasing, and harming people.

For transgender and gender-expansive people, these policies don’t just send a political message—they send a deeply personal one. They say: You’re not welcome here. You’re not safe. And the harm goes far beyond exclusion from public spaces. These attacks fuel stigma, depression, and hopelessness, especially for those who are already vulnerable.

To understand the full impact, we must take an intersectional approach. Trans people hold diverse identities—they may be Black, immigrants, unhoused, living in poverty, navigating physical disabilities, or experiencing neurodivergence or mental health challenges. These intersecting identities can intensify the harm caused by anti-trans rhetoric and policies.

For example, a trans person who is also a person of color or who is unhoused already faces systemic discrimination in housing, employment, and healthcare. Anti-trans policies add another layer of stigma, making it even harder to find safety, support, or a sense of belonging. These policies don’t just create barriers—they multiply existing ones, pushing people further to the margins.

This is why Open and Affirming (ONA) churches must step up. When a church adopts an ONA covenant, it’s more than a statement—it’s a commitment to affirm, celebrate, and advocate for LGBTQ+ people in all their identities. It’s a call to be a brave space where people are not just welcomed but affirmed to live fully and authentically.

But what if your church is the only LGBTQ+ affirming space in your community? That’s a sacred responsibility. You might be the only voice saying, “God sees you, loves you, and calls you beloved.” If we, as ONA churches, don’t show up for our trans siblings—especially those living at the intersections of race, poverty, disability, and more—who will?

For too long, Christianity has been weaponized to tell LGBTQ+ people that they are rejected by God. Let’s be clear: that is a lie. God does not reject LGBTQ+ people. God does not dismiss, hate, or exclude them. God is love. Period. Every time. For everyone.

As ONA churches, we are called to challenge that lie, not just with our words but with our actions. Advocacy isn’t optional—it’s essential. It means showing up at protests, speaking against harmful laws, and partnering with organizations fighting for justice. It means creating connections in the community, especially for those who face compounding barriers to care, safety, and belonging.

We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ, standing with the most vulnerable, amplifying their voices, and fighting for their dignity. This isn’t just about bathrooms. It’s about dismantling systems of oppression that dehumanize people and building a world where all can thrive.

Let’s be bold. Let’s honor the fullness of every identity carried by our trans siblings. Let’s live out our ONA covenants in ways that heal, empower, and transform. Let’s show that God’s love is for everyone—always, without exception.

Rev. Derek Terry is an artist, writer, and Program Director for the Open and Affirming Coalition, as well as the pastor of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he passionately advocates for social justice, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and creative expression. Connect with him online at DerekTerry.com