 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
0 Comments
 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  It was a pleasure recently to share with others in the Sydney Mardi Gras 2025 version of ABC's God Forbid program - see/listen here
 It was a delight recently to receive news of this well deserved honour - for Jo Clifford, one of the LGBTIQ+ saints rightly also recognised by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and so many of us.
|
AuthorThe Revd Dr Jo Inkpin: Archives
October 2025
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed