5 Christian Reactions to Church of England's Controversial Transgender Affirming Vote
2. Tina Beardsley
Tina Beardsley, a retired healthcare chaplain, said in an article for The Guardian that "the world now feels [like] a better place" after the transgender affirming motion passed.
"It signals that this Church, as an institution, is ready to align itself with the evidence base that endorses trans people's reality and their right to self-determination. It is of a piece with its decision the previous day to align itself with the professional bodies that consider gay conversion therapy to be harmful," Beardsley wrote.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Beardsley, who transitioned in 2001, said that the CofE has evolved in its attitudes toward transgender people over the decades.
"The Church of England is still very conflicted about homosexuality but has just set up several groups to map the way ahead. The next step for the bishops is to consider introducing liturgies to mark transgender people's journeys. Trans people must be part of that conversation," Beardsley asserted.
