YEAR-LONG LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR TRANSGENDER, NONBINARY, AND GENDER-NONCONFORMING SEMINARIANS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 3, 2022) – For nine years, the Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies in Religion, the Freedom Center for Social Justice and the National LGBTQ Task Forcehave sponsored a program for transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming seminarians in the United States.
The program’s goal is to encourage trans students during their training for religious leadership to complete their degrees, follow their vocation, and embrace the fact that their impact as faith leaders can and should extend beyond their chosen settings for ministry and service to include the welfare of the broader communities in which they live.
This is the only program that we are aware of that addresses the unique challenges and gifts of trans seminarians. Each year, we offer a cohort experience for six students engaged in training for religious ministry, providing mentorship, peer support, and the opportunity to attend conferences and retreats sponsored by each of our organizations.
In addition to these three face-to-face meetings, the group connects through monthly phone calls and on social media. All the expenses to attend the programs are fully covered.