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

A Sacred Text for Trans Visibility
Written for the National Trans Visibility March Empowerment Service
By Rev. Derek A. Terry, Acting Executive Director of the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ

In the beginning, there was breath—holy and expansive—carried in every body, every voice, every form. And God said: You are enough. You are whole. You are mine.

To be visible is not a concession. It is a calling.
To be trans is not a burden. It is a blessing.
To live boldly in your truth is a sacred act of resistance, a mirror of the Divine who transcends all binaries and boundaries.

We gather today as people of faith, allies, and beloveds, to say:
Trans people are not an afterthought. You are not a side note in the story of liberation.
You are the movement. You are the miracle.

Your bodies are not up for debate. Your identities are not problems to be solved.
Your leadership is not optional—it is essential.

And in a world that legislates hate and erases truth,
we speak back with love, with fire, and with faith:
We see you.
We need you.
We honor you.
We follow you.

For the Spirit is moving through your courage.
Justice is marching in your name.
And the church, if it is to be the church at all, must stand with you—visible, loud, and unafraid.

Amen. Ashe. And so it is. 

It is time to have an honest conversation about what Christian nationalism really is, the harm it causes, and how we can resist it.

That is why the Open and Affirming Coalition is hosting a special book study and conversation with April Ajoy, a former evangelical who uses humor to challenge Christian nationalism and advocate for an inclusive faith.

Before diving into the details of the event, let’s take a closer look at the problem we are facing.

What Is Christian Nationalism?

Christian nationalism is not about personal faith or religious freedom—it is about power. It is the false belief that America was founded as a Christian nation and should be governed according to a narrow, exclusionary interpretation of Christianity.

Those pushing Christian nationalism seek to merge religious identity with political control—often at the expense of democracy, civil rights, and religious diversity.

• It is not about protecting faith
• It is not about personal religious beliefs
• It is about forcing one religious ideology onto everyone

The Core Beliefs of Christian Nationalism

Christian nationalists believe:

• The United States should be governed by their version of “Christian values”
• Church-state separation should be weakened or erased
• LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive freedom, and racial justice threaten “God’s order”
• Schools should teach a whitewashed version of history that aligns with their ideology
• Their faith should dictate government laws and policies

The movement claims to uphold morality, but in reality, it prioritizes control over compassion and exclusion over justice.

The Harm Christian Nationalism Causes

Christian nationalism is not just rhetoric—it has real consequences that shape laws and culture:

• Threats to democracy, including voter suppression and election denialism
• Attacks on marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive justice, and racial equity
• Book bans and censorship in schools and libraries
• Disinformation campaigns that manipulate voters and spread fear

Faith should be about love, justice, and inclusion—not fear, control, and exclusion.

Who Is Behind Christian Nationalism?

This movement is well-organized and well-funded. It is not just coming from churches—it is backed by:

• Billionaire funders and corporate interests
• Right-wing media and disinformation networks
• Politicians using faith as a tool for control
• Extremist groups pushing anti-democratic policies

These forces are working together to reshape America’s political and cultural landscape, and they are gaining ground.

How Do We Fight Back?

Resisting Christian nationalism is not just about opposing bad policies—it is about defending religious freedom, democracy, and human dignity.

Here is what we can do:

• Educate ourselves and others by learning the signs and challenging misinformation
• Defend democracy by supporting policies that protect voting rights and civil liberties
• Uplift inclusive faith voices by amplifying diverse Christian perspectives
• Protect church-state separation to ensure religion is never used as a weapon of oppression

The good news is that we are not alone in this fight.

Join the Conversation: A Book Study and Chat with April Ajoy

“Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding a True Faith”

April 9, 2025 | 7:00–8:30 PM ET
$30 for individuals | $50 for small churches | $70 for large churches
Click Here to Register Now!

April Ajoy, a former evangelical, will share her experiences and insights on how Christian nationalism distorts faith and how we can reclaim a Christianity rooted in justice, inclusion, and love.

This is a conversation we all need to have. If you care about protecting faith from political extremism and defending true religious freedom, do not miss this event.

#ResistChristianNationalism #FaithForAll #ONAWebinar #LoveNotFear #ChristianNationalism #ReligiousFreedom #FaithAndDemocracy

Join us July 9-10, 2025, at the Kansas City Downtown Marriott in Kansas City, MO!

This gathering, held just before the United Church of Christ General Synod, is an opportunity to worship, connect, and organize for justice. At a time when LGBTQ+ communities continue to face challenges, we come together in faith, resilience, and joy to affirm that God’s love is for all.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW! Stay tuned for updates on speakers, workshops, and more.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent—a season of reflection, repentance, and renewal. As ashes are placed on our foreheads, we are reminded: “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” This call to humility is an invitation to truth, transformation, and justice.

For LGBTQ+ people, it is also a moment to reflect on the Church’s history of exclusion and harm. If Ash Wednesday is about truth-telling, then the Church must tell the full truth:

• LGBTQ+ people are fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image.
• Our love is not a sin—hatred, exclusion, and injustice are.
• God calls us, in all our queerness, to live fully, authentically, and without shame.

Repentance: A Communal Call to Justice

Traditionally, Ash Wednesday calls for repentance, not just personally, but as a faith community. The Church has long condemned, erased, and harmed LGBTQ+ people through:

• Theologies that fueled shame and exclusion.
• Barriers to pulpits, pews, and sacraments.
• Spiritual abuse, including conversion therapy.
• Violence against trans and nonbinary people, often justified by religious rhetoric.

True repentance is not just about confession—it requires action. Some churches embrace Ashes to Activism, using this season to move from acknowledging past harms to actively creating spaces of radical inclusion.

Sacred Bodies, Sacred Dust

The words of Ash Wednesday—“You are dust”—remind us that all bodies are sacred. LGBTQ+ bodies, trans bodies, fat bodies, disabled bodies, aging bodies—all are equally beloved by God.

For those who have been told their queerness separates them from God, this day is a declaration: You are not an accident. You are not a mistake. You are part of the divine creation. You belong.

Lent as a Journey Toward Liberation

Lent mirrors the journey many LGBTQ+ people know well—seasons of wilderness, exile, and struggle before finding renewal, hope, and resurrection. We have been cast out, but we rise. We reclaim our voices. We live fully in our truth.

From Ashes to Affirmation

As we enter this Lenten season, may churches move beyond mere acknowledgment into true affirmation. May we use this season not just to confess, but to act—offering reparative justice, full inclusion, and the celebration of LGBTQ+ lives as sacred.

Open and Affirming churches embody this call, creating spaces where LGBTQ+ people are not just welcomed, but affirmed, celebrated, and empowered—not just during Lent, but all year round. In a world where too many have been told they are unworthy, these communities stand as beacons of love, healing, and justice.

For those who have been told they are not enough, let this be our reminder:

• We are made of sacred dust.
• We are seen and loved by God.
• We are called to live boldly in our truth.

May this season bring healing, visibility, and renewal—and may the Church finally rise into the fullness of God’s inclusive love.

As a Black Queer person, I celebrate Black History Month with intention. It is a time to honor our ancestors, recognize our resilience, and reflect on the struggles that Black communities continue to face. But let’s talk about something that doesn’t always get the spotlight—Black Joy. In a world that constantly tries to wear us down, joy is not an escape; it’s a tool, a declaration that we are still here, still thriving, and still worthy of love, laughter, and rest. And this isn’t just a Black thing—this is a lesson for anyone who has ever been marginalized, for anyone who has ever felt like the world was trying to erase them. Joy is resistance.

Why Black Joy Matters

Black joy is about more than just happiness—it’s about survival. In the face of racism, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, economic struggles, and the criminalization of our very existence, our ability to love, laugh, and rest is an act of defiance. This isn’t about pretending oppression doesn’t exist. It’s about refusing to let oppression define us.

Our ancestors sang through their pain, found laughter in the midst of struggle, and built communities where love thrived despite everything working against them. That spirit lives on today in the way we create music, gather in community, dance, and tell our stories.

What This Means for the LGBTQ+ Community and Other Marginalized Groups

If you’ve ever had your rights threatened, your identity challenged, or your safety compromised, you know that just existing can be exhausting. But joy—queer joy, immigrant joy, working-class joy, disabled joy—is fuel. It keeps us going when the world says we should give up.

When we consider the current realities facing our trans siblings—who are being targeted in ways that are deeply insidious and harmful—we know that their joy is under attack. From laws designed to erase their existence to barriers preventing access to gender-affirming care, the assault on trans people is relentless. That is why their joy is sacred. When trans folks find laughter, love, and celebration in the face of oppression, they send a powerful message: they will not be erased. We stand with them in that truth.

Building Communities of Joy and Resistance

Resistance isn’t just about marches and petitions—it’s also about creating spaces where joy can thrive. That means supporting Black and queer artists, uplifting trans voices, and ensuring that all marginalized communities have room to breathe, rest, and flourish. It means showing up for one another, protecting spaces where we can exist freely and fully, and making sure that our movements include not just justice, but also celebration.

Immigrants, people of color, disabled individuals, the poor, the unhoused, and those living at the intersections of multiple marginalized identities continue to face systemic oppression, racial profiling, deportation threats, and targeted hate. Many are denied basic human rights and dignity. Their struggles are deeply connected to our own, and their joy is just as powerful a form of resistance. We must stand in solidarity with them, ensuring that our collective movements amplify their voices, honor their stories, and uplift their fight for liberation. Joy unites us, reminding us that we are not alone and that our survival is a testament to our strength.

A Call to Joy

This Black History Month—and beyond—let’s make joy a priority. Let’s reclaim it, protect it, and share it. Let’s dance, laugh, and rest—not because we’re ignoring the struggle, but because we refuse to be consumed by it. The executive orders, the attempts to erase us from history, the attacks on our trans siblings—these are all designed to hinder, stifle, or even steal our joy. Don’t let them! We used to sing a song in church growing up:
“This Joy that I have, the world didn’t give it to me! The world didn’t give it, and the world can’t take it away!”

• To our Black siblings: Our joy has always been a revolutionary force.
• To our LGBTQ+ siblings: Our love and laughter are acts of defiance.
• To our trans siblings: Your joy is sacred and essential, and we will work to help you secure and protect it.
• To our immigrant siblings: Your joy is powerful, necessary, and worthy of celebration. We stand with you, support you, and uplift your right to thrive.
• To all people of color facing oppression: Your joy is resistance. It is vital, it is sacred, and it cannot be erased. We see you, we celebrate you, and we stand with you.

To everyone trying to exist in a world that tells them they shouldn’t—claim your joy. Celebrate yourself, your identity, and one another in the struggle. Because joy is not just resistance—it is the foundation of our liberation! 

Let that sink in.

The national monument that honors the Stonewall Uprising—the very birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement—has been rewritten to exclude the trans and queer people who led the fight. This is not just an oversight. This is a deliberate and cruel attempt to whitewash history, to push trans people back into the shadows, and to fuel the culture wars of an administration that thrives on hate.

But history is not up for debate.

Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, and so many other trans and gender-expansive people were the ones who put their bodies on the line at Stonewall. Their courage ignited a movement that has shaped LGBTQ+ rights in this country for over five decades. And yet, this administration wants to pretend they never existed. Without them, there is no Pride, no LGBTQ+ rights, no Stonewall history to honor at all.

And now, the government wants to pretend they never existed.

Erasing letters from a government website doesn’t change the truth. It does, however, send a dangerous message to trans youth, to our communities, and to the world: that our lives, our stories, and our contributions don’t matter. But we know better.

As people of faith, we have a moral obligation to resist.

If the government will not tell the truth, then our churches must. If the government will not protect trans and queer people, then we must go out of our way to create safe and brave spaces for all of God’s people. If the government will try to erase us, then we must show up louder, prouder, and more determined than ever.

Here’s what you can do:

• Call it out. Tell your community what’s happening. Speak truth in the face of lies.
• Take action. Show up to protests, sign petitions, and demand that the full history of Stonewall is restored.
• Make your church a true refuge. Advocate for trans inclusion, fight for justice, and be a beacon of love.

Stonewall was a rebellion. Stonewall was a fight. And we are still fighting.

#NoLGBWithoutTheT
#TransPeopleBelong
#StonewallWasATransRiot

In a world where policies and rhetoric are increasingly aimed at erasing the existence of transgender and nonbinary people, the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ stands resolute in its commitment to affirming the dignity, worth, and sacredness of every individual. The recent executive order denying the existence of trans and nonbinary Americans is not only a legal and political assault but a moral and spiritual one. It challenges the very fabric of what it means to love our neighbors as ourselves.

As Christians, we are called to stand against systems of oppression and to live out the radical, inclusive love of Christ. Our faith teaches us that all people are created in the image of God—beautiful, diverse, and worthy of love. Denying someone’s identity is denying the divine imprint on their lives.

To Our Trans and Nonbinary Siblings:

We see you. We love you. We affirm you.

You are not alone in this fight. Your existence is holy, and your truth is powerful. The attacks on your identity are unjust and cruel, but we are here to stand with you. You belong in our churches, in our communities, and in every space where love and justice are proclaimed. You are essential, and your lives are sacred. We will continue to fight alongside you for a world where you are not merely tolerated but celebrated.

To Our Churches:

Now is the time to live out our faith boldly. The Gospel compels us to act in the face of injustice and to create spaces where love and inclusion reign. As Open and Affirming churches, we are called to be sanctuaries for all people, especially those who are marginalized.

Let us recommit ourselves to being both safe and brave spaces for trans and nonbinary people. Safe spaces are where individuals are free from harm, and brave spaces are where their truths can be spoken, affirmed, and celebrated. This is the work of the Church—to embody Christ’s love in ways that are transformative and liberating.

Why This Matters:

The recent actions of the federal government are not isolated incidents. They are part of a broader strategy to strip away the rights and humanity of LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender and nonbinary people. These policies not only endanger lives but also undermine the core values of justice, equality, and compassion that should guide our nation.

We must speak truth to power and stand in solidarity with those who are being targeted. Trans and nonbinary people have always existed and will always exist. Their lives are a testament to resilience and the boundless diversity of God’s creation.

A Call to Action:

To our allies and church communities: this is your moment to act. Use your platforms, your voices, and your resources to make it known that trans and nonbinary people are loved and affirmed. Share messages of solidarity. Challenge harmful narratives. Advocate for policies that protect and uplift trans lives.

We invite you to share this message and the graphic accompanying it on your social media platforms. Let the world know that your faith compels you to stand for justice, inclusion, and love.

Together, we can build a world where everyone, regardless of gender identity, is embraced as a beloved child of God. Let us rise to this moment with courage, compassion, and unwavering faith.

Repost this graphic to show your solidarity and remind the world that our faith compels us to affirm that trans and nonbinary people are sacred, loved, and here to stay.

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

by: Rev. Derek Terry, Program Director- Open and Affirming Coalition

On this Transgender Day of Remembrance, we honor the at least 30 transgender and gender-expansive individuals whose lives were stolen by violence this year. We remember their names, their dreams, and the love they carried. Yet, in the face of mounting threats and fear following the recent election, remembrance alone is not enough. We must actively affirm and protect trans lives.

The origins of this day in 1999, when Gwendolyn Ann Smith held a vigil for Rita Hester, a Black transgender woman, remind us of the long history of struggle against hate. Today, that struggle feels even more urgent. Trans and non-binary Americans face renewed attacks on their rights, their safety, and even their basic dignity. The Trevor Project has reported a staggering 700% increase in crisis calls since the election, with trans youth and adults alike expressing fears for their futures.

As people of faith, we must have the courage to stand with and advocate for our trans siblings. The difference between welcoming and affirming is vast: welcoming merely offers a seat, while affirming embraces, protects, and celebrates. In this current social and political climate, affirming spaces are life-saving and life-giving. Open and Affirming churches must be brave and safe communities, actively fighting for the right of trans and non-binary individuals to live freely and joyfully without fear of erasure.

The threats are real. Trans people across the country are scrambling to secure basic protections, from rushing legal name changes to bracing for potential rollbacks in healthcare and marriage equality. The fear is palpable, yet so is the resilience. Trans and gender-expansive individuals are finding ways to prepare and fight back, holding on to hope even as they brace for what may come.

Our call as Christians is clear: to love courageously and stand boldly against injustice. We must be voices of affirmation, lifting up trans lives in the fullness of their beauty and humanity. As poet, activist, and performer Alok Vaid-Menon reminds us, “You shouldn’t need to understand us to believe we are worthy of dignity and safety.” Let us be communities that affirm without hesitation, that act with compassion, and that work tirelessly for a world where trans people are not just remembered but celebrated and defended.

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