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In recent weeks, I have had more involvement in the Gosford Anglican community, currently grieving the critical illness of our wonderful Rector, Fr Christian Ford. Our love and prayers continue to go out for him, his wife Brenda, and their families. Christian has been a great ally and has helped develop the very LGBTIQ+ affirming work of the parish, so it is good to be able to assist with the forthcoming Pride Eucharist on Sunday 27 September. This is part of this year's upcoming Coastal Twist festival on the NSW Central Coast, and it is very good to be a part of that much wider lively and loving program (see further for the Pride Eucharist here). As part of my own contribution as we shape up our plans for 27 September, I have written two prayers/blessings, based on the words of this year's Coastal Twist 'Radical Radiance' theme and promotional materials. Both might also be useable for other occasions elsewhere and I am happy for them to be used in that way by others - downloadable in picture form here and here and/or the words below:
Radical Radiant Love, you light us up as a glorious living kaleidoscope, glittering in the rich diversity of our bodies, lives, and loves. At this time of celebration, ground us in compassion, embolden us with courage, and strengthen us in collective unity, that we may shine ever more fully, transforming fear and division, and sharing a future of care, belonging, and freedom for all. In the joy, and strength of Radical Radiant Love May we know ourselves as beloved beyond compare May we grow together as people of courage, compassion, and collective unity And may our lives shine as a rainbow of hope for all.
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 A few days before the Transgender Day of Visibility (31 March), the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has taken a new step in the movement to ban transgender women from advanced levels of sport. It is, of course, significant that the intended gene-screening testing will come into place for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, in line with Donald Trump's America's drive to exclude and erase transgender people at all levels. More widely, it also reflects the determined efforts by right wing advocates to enhance further the backlash against transgender and gender diverse people. Whilst I admit that I am not myself an expert on these matters, this will surely further damage the troubling trans and gender diverse health situation and encourage other unnecessary restrictions. I also feel that more appropriate research and consultation is appropriate in particular sporting areas. Yet, in the light of the recent review of existing scholarship on these matters (from 56 studies), as well as the extremely small representation of TGD people at high sporting levels, the IOC appears to be betraying reason as well as a hard-pressed community. As the Brazilian review - Body Composition and Physical Fitness in Transgender Versus Cisgender Individuals - put it: "While transgender women exhibited higher lean mass than cisgender women, their physical fitness was comparable... Current evidence is mostly low certainty and has heterogeneous quality, but does not support theories of inherent athletic advantages for transgender women over cisgender women." For more on Trans Health and Wellbeing in relation to sport, check out the Equality Australia/ACON fact sheet here  Wonderful to worship (this last Sunday) with Canon Sarah Jones, a fellow priest and trans woman in the worldwide Anglican Communion - a great pleasure on an unexpected visit to Cymru/Wales. #stjohnscardiff
 November is Trans Month and almost upon us! It is a delight therefore to share the work of Steff Fenton, who is running national online events for trans people, parents/carers, pastors and chaplains from Christian faith and church backgrounds!
There are limited spots for all events, so please register early: https://linktr.ee/steffenton You can also support these events by donating to my GiveOUT fundraiser (all donations DOUBLED). Use the same link above!  It was a sad honour to speak at the Celebration of Life of Tuisina Ymania Brown in Redfern Town Hall, having been deeply sorrowed, with so many others, to hear the news of the death of such a good friend and wonderful warrior for human rights. May she live on in the dynamic active love in which she lived her life, and rise in glory.
I first met Ymania as a co-speaker at the 2018 Uniting Network Conference and she was always a great encourager and example of how to grow healthy intersectional change with joy, faith and determination. (my full address is here). As Equality Australia wrote in tribute: 'Our visionary matriarch, fa'afafine icon, mum to us all and the very first Chair of TransEquality - Tuisina Ymania Brown - has passed away in hospital following a health battle. We absolutely loved YB, she made us cackle, dream, hope and fight toward a better world for trans people everywhere. Her light, wisdom and capacity for shenanigans shone so brightly, Ymania's big aunty energy helped us and so many navigate these treacherous pathways on our way to trans liberation, every contribution was encouraged and appreciated. Ymania had the extraordinary ability to shift the world – whether she was standing in front of a politician, a crowd of thousands, or right in front of you. Her extraordinary care, razor-sharp wit, and her conviction always pierced through. Her loyalty held us upright against many waves. Ymania drove forward the global cause for human rights, but she never forgot about those directly in front of her. She truly had your back. She had all our backs, and we feel this excruciating loss alongside the thousands of people she touched. Her hugs; legendary, her stories; extraordinary. Ymania's legacy will live on at Equality Australia, across TransEquality and around the world forever, she touched many and her work has strengthened trans lives for generations to come. We miss you already, Ymania. Your loss has shocked us and we grieve deeply for your friendship, your spirit and your remarkable way of being. Thank you, our queen YB. Our transcestor and hero, we were so lucky to know you, and we’ll always carry you with us.'  Congratulations to all involved in putting together this book which has just been published - including a breadth of liturgical materials (with several LGBT+ related, such as my edited version of the Rainbow Christians Together 'Pancake Pride' liturgy as part of resources for other celebrations, and a copy of a blessing before trans surgery written by myself).
(see here for orders)  It was good to be asked by the Journal of Anglican Studies to provide a review recently for Susannah Cornwell's excellent book (now in paperback, published by Cambridge UP) Constructive Theology and Gender Variance: Transformative Creatures. May we continue to grow and learn together in ever more flourishing transformative creativity!
 It was a delight to be interviewed last year by Darby Carr for the Transgender, Gender Diverse and Non-Binary (TGDNB) oral history project of the National Library of Australia. This can be found here.
As the National Library of Australia records: 'In recent decades, there has been a growing social awareness about the experiences and contribution of transgender, gender diverse and non-binary Australians. This oral history project of up to eight oral history interviews records the life stories from a diverse range of individuals who identify as Transgender, Gender Diverse and Non-Binary (TGDNB). It documents the history, culture, achievements, struggles and celebrations that make a variety of life experiences over many decades. (see further here)  Lovely to hear this week about heartwarming responses from trans people and family members to our Equal Voices TDoV resources, and of prayers and plans across the country tomorrow - and Monday. Meanwhile, it is very good to hear of active measures happening in the USA, not least among Episcopalians. Standing up with those on the margins, speaking out for love and truth, and calling us all back to honour the Whole Body - yep, that’s core to my understanding of a bishop. See further here and here for some of the other Episcopal and TransEpiscopal-led activities at this time. In thanksgiving, and solidarity with my siblings in the USA and elsewhere
Further to worship resources (see links below) for churches and schools for Sunday 30 March and the upcoming Trans Day of Visibility (Mon 31 March), Equal Voices is delighted to share two short videos encouraging active participation. Produced respectively by trans & gender diverse ecumenical Christians and Christian allies in Sydney, these were filmed at Pancake Pride this year, as an expression of Rainbow Christians Together commitment and a call to all to celebrate TGD lives and gifts. These can be used in the run up to the Trans Day of Visibility, in worship or other gatherings, and provide an opportunity to support transgender people, particularly in the light of current backlash. Please feel free to share these widely with others. With thanks to everyone involved, especially Orange Kao, Pitt Street and St Stephen’s Uniting Churches. Celebrating Transgender Visibility liturgical resources An invitation from Trans & Gender Diverse Christians to celebrate the Trans Day of Visibility A message from Christian allies for the Trans Day of Visibility |
AuthorThe Revd Dr Jo Inkpin: Archives
March 2026
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