 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.'
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 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
 My keynote address to the Future Church Conference 2025 in Sydney focused on the invitation to expansive life and faith, through the joyful reception of the gifts of gender diversity in the face of the rising anti-gender 'confessional' movement and its desire for patriarchal, 're-colonising' repression across the world. See further here.
Wonderful to have Steff Fenton with us yesterday at Pitt Street Uniting Church- sharing a terrific Reflection (see here) - as we marked Transgender Awareness Week and also gave thanks for the great work of Uniting Network NSW over the years.  My favourite picture for this (trans awareness) week, is this portrait of Raquel Willis — a writer, activist, public speaker and media maven - by trans artist Selva Neblina, from the Trans Life & Liberation Art series...
 Giving thanks today both for the Trans & Gender Diverse (TGD) Affirming resolution yesterday at the triennial gathering of the Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia, and, perhaps as or more important, for the overall spirit of discussion. This represents the first specific positive national affirmation of TGD folks in a mainstream Church in Australia and marks a step in the ever more necessary conversations and relationships between TGD & other queer people and communities of faith, not least those of diverse cultural backgrounds.
See official Uniting Church Assembly report here...  It was a great delight to talk with Will Small, from the creative Spiritual Misfits community, about trans-forming and expansive approaches to faith and spirituality, the ethos and work of Pitt St UC, and how we with others might work better together intersectionally for greater love, justice, and healing for all
- and looking forward to more conversations and networking going forward Do check out some of the other Spiritual Misfits podcasts too!  A Blessed Easter and Very Happy Transgender Day of Visibility to everyone!
- with a little scribble of my own, re-rendering the colours of the trans flag (with black - the womb of colour - at the centre), the (an alternate - and my own preferred - trans colour) of violet for the mystery (amid suffering), in which we are all caught up, and the gold of (resurrection) life beyond and underneath. #TransDayOfVisibility #Easter #resurrection #transformation Thanks to ABBI (in this Trans Awareness Week) for featuring the 25 minute documentary Faithfully Me - now available (after being on ABC licence) here online and for educational use etc. Among other things, it is wonderful to be reminded of the fabulous support I had in coming out from so many Anglicans in southern Queensland - not least my amazing colleagues at St Francis College and in Milton parish, the terrific Dean and community of St John’s Cathedral Brisbane, and our border collie! A brief synopsis: ‘Coming out as transgender in a Christian environment from two different sides of the pulpit has its challenges. Faithfully Me is a 25 minute documentary that follows the Revd Dr Josephine Inkpin, Australia’s first openly transgender ordained priest, and Rhett Pearson, a transgender man, as they embark on their own individual quests to reconcile their true identities and their faith. Meeting the significant people in their lives gives further richness to their stories.’ |
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