Thanks! This is a helpful video. (I have friends and students who are transgender, and it's good to have this information.)

Thanks very much for posting this, Ann.

I would add that General Convention also approved D012, "Transgender Civil Rights," putting the Episcopal Church on record in a broad support of non-discrimination and hate-crimes legislation at municipal, state, and federal levels; and also D090, which calls for the revision of church paper and electronic forms to allow a wider range of gender identifications.

I rejoice in these four resolutions. For the first time in its history, our Episcopal Church has taken official actions in support of transgender civil rights and inclusion. For this I would like to thank the beautiful witness of the eight representatives from TransEpiscopal who testified for these resolutions in committee hearings and even, in the case of our first-ever openly trans deputy, on the floor of the House of Deputies.

I forgot to mention one other related resolution, D032, which commits the church not to discriminate in employment of lay employees based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

I served at a church immediately out of seminary that was, what I would consider, on the front lines of transgender inclusivity in the church. The basic question was, "What rights does this person have here in this communit?" Seeing the treatment from some members of the church community toward the transgendered person was disturbing, but there were others at the same congregation who treated this person with utmost respect.

This issue is certainly a hot topic, and I'm curious to see how it will play out over the coming years.

Thanks Sarah for the numbers of the resolutions.

Sarah thanks for adding the other resolutions!

I want to add my thanks and gratitude for the posting of this video and information. I am an openly Transgender person (I am a Trans-man) who is very active within the life of The Episcopal Church. In fact I had the honor of serving as a Deputy to the General Convention. It brings me such great joy the The Episcopal Church is beginning to very seriously look at the issues that face the Transgender Community. To say very openly that we not only care about our Transgender brothers and sisters, but we care how the world treats them. To get up and testify in the House of Deputies, to vote for the support of my rights both within the Church and secular governments, to see this video all serve as constant reminders of why I choose to serve this Church that I love so much.

In regards to the resolutions and actions taken by General Convention, I'd be more than happy to talk individually with people, to help adapt forms as D090 encourages, and whatever other support indivudals, parishes, or dioceses may need. Outside of the Church I volunteer with a educational group that provides trainings around issues facing LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) persons. I even developed a training specifically for Episcopal Churches.

The conversation has begun in a wonderful way. Let us now begin the work to make sure it continues until all God's children are truly welcomed.