Resource Topic: Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender

Often misunderstandings can occur when we aren't aware of (whatever). These resources are here to help you help others in your faith community & community at large. Do you realize the fear many LGBT+ experience because of how they have been treated in MANY situations - healthcare, neighbors, peers, churches, etcetera?  Did you know the suicide rate is a GREAT DEAL HIGHER for transgender folks? All of us are Children of God, made in His image. How can your Care Ministry be best informed to do care as Christ would have? These resources are presented for you to be better aware, to have empathy and show Christ's love to all by sharing resources - REFERRING to resources is CARING. Do educate yourself - often we understand more when we learn about what it is like to walk in someone else's shoes. If you can't be their Care Minister, ask your leader(s) to appoint someone else who can. LGBT+ people are very aware when someone is struggling to be with them. Visit Website

This book is a gift to the church…41 percent of transgender adults have attempted suicide… Most Christians in the United States don’t have to choose between being open about their relationships or being excommunicated…"nervous when I walk into any unfamiliar church building… a response reinforced by years of necessary self-defense ….". 29 percent of LGBT-identified folks have been made to feel unwelcome in religious spaces … hostile stares, a direct order to leave, or physical violence. …. How could the church push (out) persons who desperately seek to be recognized and accepted as part of the faith? {Austen Hartke gave me permission to use 100 of his words. I encourage you to read his book. There is a 2nd version out now.} Visit Website

As a person in ministry, you’re poised to make a huge impact on the lives of your trans and gender-expansive people in faith. Visit Website

In 2018, the nationally recognized Training to Serve program became a part of JustUs Health, and we are proud to continue to expand and provide trainings to individuals or organizations who serve older adults, on how best to serve LGBTQ+ elders and those aging with HIV. The goal of providing this training is to increase the likelihood that an LGBTQ+ older adult or someone aging with HIV will find a provider who can serve them well with respect to their identity or HIV status, ultimately improving health outcomes for these individuals. To schedule a training session, contact communityeducation@rainbowhealth.org . By the end of 2023, there will be a variety of new trainings: 1. Ask Viola for LGBT & HIV Older Adults - it will provide Aging Provider Services including faith communities, 2. Training to Serve 101, 3. Training to Serve 2.0, 4. Trans 101, 5. HIV 101. All trainings are approved for Minnesota Board of Social Work CECs. Training to serve is a part of Rainbow Health Aging Initiative. Visit Website

Digital Resources: Our Trans Loved Ones: Questions & Answers for Parents, Families, and Friends of People Who Are Transgender & Gender Expansive (also in Spanish); Faith In Our Families: Parents, Families, and Friends Talk About Faith, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity & MUCH MORE! Visit Website

Understanding definitions and pronouns - If a person tells you how they identify (what gender), listen to them. If a person tells you what pronouns they want to go by - USE THEIR PRONOUNS. The internal struggle many have cannot be understood unless you respect them and honor them for how they identify themselves. This is how they feel - how they identify. We do not weigh in on WHAT THEY SHOULD DO. That is a big judgement. Spoken judgement(s) may be why some will have NOTHING to do with the church - their faith. The definitions provided here are to help understand what a person has told you they identify as. Visit Website

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Transmission Ministry Collective exists to create community where trans and gender-expansive Christians and their loved ones can connect and thrive. From our General Support Group to our many affinity groups for people with specific experiences, the TMC Support Groups are here for you! Scroll down to see information on a General Support Group; Nonbinary & Gender-Expansive Support Group; Trans Christian People of Color (TPOC) Support Group; Trans People in Ministry Support Group; Transgenerations Support Group; Gender Exploration Sessions; Partners of Trans People Sessions Visit Website

Many resources including Videos: The Calling and Gifts of Transgender Christians; Call Me Malcom - United Church of Christ; Growing Up Transgender and Mormon - National Geographic; Owning Our Faith - LGBTQ+ folks in Catholic communities; Belonging in the Body - Generous Space Ministries; DEVOTIONALS, Denominational and Organization information. Podcasts; Books on Theology by Transgender People or For Allies; Our Bible App; See DIGITAL RESOURCES: Coming Out as a Transgender Person: A Workbook. Also see AFFIRMING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT: The Christian Closet, The iAM Clinic; Reclamation Collective. Visit Website

For calls regarding domestic/intimate partner violence (more shelter) — Day One | 1.866.223.1111; For calls regarding sexual violence — Sexual Violence Center | 612.871.5111; For calls regarding Transgender support — Trans Lifeline | 877.565.8860; For callers who identify as LGBTQ+ youth — The Trevor Project | 1.866.488.7386; For all other calls regarding general support/mental health support — NAMI | 800.950.6264 Visit Website

“If anything, I want you to remember that sexual orientation and gender identity are completely different things,” says Paul Blom,“Understanding the Older LGBT Community and Its Unique Needs & Barriers.” “They have nothing to do with each other. Lesbian (L), Gay (G) and Bisexual (B) are about sexual orientation. Transgender (T) is about gender identity.” Back in 2010, less than one in five respondents to the LGBT elder research study in Minnesota believed they would receive safe, good-quality service if their sexual orientation or gender identity were known to their aging service providers. As a senior home care provider himself, Blom intended to change perceptions and assumptions of not only elders within the LGBT community, but also members who work with, or are affiliated with, these elders. Visit Website

How we treat people includes how we speak of groups of people. Follow this link, scroll down to read Language Guidance When Serving LGBTQ+ Populations. This resource is very well done Visit Website