Transgenderism

We affirm God’s good design that gender identity is determined by biological sex and not by one’s self-perception—a perception which is often influenced by fallen human nature in ways contrary to God’s design (Ephesians 4:17–18). We grieve the reality of human fallenness which can result in such biological manifestations as intersexuality or psychological manifestations as gender identity confusion and point all to the hope of the redemption of our bodies in Christ (Romans 8:23). The gender confusion and sexual brokenness that we see all around us, in which people feel alienated from or in conflict with their bodies, is a sign of a deeply hurting world. It requires on our part a compassionate and proactive response. We recognize that God has called us to extend love and compassion to those whose sexual self-understanding is shaped by a distressing conflict between their biological sex and their gender identity. We invite all transgender persons to trust in Christ and to experience renewal in the Gospel (1 Timothy 1:15–16). We unreservedly believe that we must love our transgender neighbors, seek their good always, welcome them to our churches and, as they repent and believe in Christ, receive them into church membership as obedience to the Word of God and sincerity in following God’s principles are demonstrated (2 Corinthians 5:18–20; Galatians 5:14). We regard our transgender neighbors as image-bearers of Almighty God and therefore condemn acts of abuse or bullying committed against them. Additionally, we oppose efforts to alter one’s bodily identity (e.g., cross-sex hormone therapy, gender reassignment surgery) to refashion it to conform with one’s perceived gender identity.

All people are image-bearers and as such deserve compassion and ministry in their lives. This requires not just talk, but an encounter with actual persons — persons who struggle with gender-identity confusion or sexual brokenness — and actively listening to their needs and concerns. We must defend their authentic rights; protect them from cruel, dehumanizing acts; pray for them; and help them to know the Father’s plan for how He created them.

We do not endorse or support any governing official or body to validate transgender identity as morally praiseworthy (Isaiah 5:20). In addition, we do not endorse or support cultural efforts to validate claims to transgender identity. Therefore, cultural currents or policies that seek to institutionalize or “mandate” affirmation of gender “reassignment” (as opposed to anti-discrimination laws, some of which ensure that people have access to the basic necessities of life) cannot be supported because they perpetuate the confusion, brokenness, or pain that someone who identifies as transgendered is experiencing, instead of trying to get to the root of the problem and recognize his or her human dignity as created by God. We firmly hold that our love for the Gospel and urgency for the Great Commission must include declaring the whole counsel of God, proclaiming what Scripture teaches about God’s design for us as male and female persons created in His image and for His glory (Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 20:27; Romans 11:36).

Adapted in from the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)