News

Today is Transgender Day of Visibility.

And today, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down protections meant to shield LGBTQ+ youth from conversion therapy.

Let us be clear: conversion therapy is not care. It is harm.
It is trauma wrapped in theology.
It is the distortion of scripture to deny the image of God in LGBTQ+ people.

This harm has been fueled by fundamentalist and white supremacist (I refuse to call it Christian) nationalism that has weaponized faith against God’s own beloved.

But that is not the whole Church.

For decades, the progressive Christians movement and the Open and Affirming Coalition have been bold and unwavering, working to heal this harm, to help people unlearn dangerous theology, and to proclaim a gospel rooted in love, justice, and truth.

And still, the work is not done.

Just three days ago, millions of people around the world rose up declaring: no kings, no oppression, no turning back.

They showed us what courage looks like.

Now the question is: will the Church meet this moment?

Not quietly.
Not cautiously.
But boldly.

Our theology must be louder than hate.
Our witness must be stronger than fear.
Our love must be public.

On this day, we are called not just to visibility, but to witness.

To proclaim that trans lives are sacred.
To reject every theology that harms.
To stand with those who are being targeted, erased, and endangered.

Church, this is a moment for clarity.
A moment for courage.
A moment for action.

If we say we are Open and Affirming, then let the world see it.
If we say God is love, then let us live like it.

The time is now.

Will we be found faithful?

Grace and peace,

Rev. Derek Terry

Acting Executive Director, Open and Affirming Coalition

Here is a Sacred Text that I wrote and Shared at Last Year’s Trans Visibility March Empowerment Service