The World As We Want It
Photo Credit: Graham Dickie/The New York Times
On February 5, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order (EO) titled "Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports," which directly targets transgender athletes. While framed as an effort to "protect opportunities for women and girls to compete in safe and fair sports," the order instead reinforces exclusionary policies that erase the identities and experiences of transgender individuals.
We are aligned with trans people everywhere!
By now, you are no doubt aware of the wave of executive orders (EOs) Donald Trump has signed since taking office. Many are egregiously unconstitutional, but all share a common purpose: to codify hatred, contempt, and bigotry.
Most recently, Trump issued an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” Let us be clear: this is an attack on transgender youth and their families—an act of targeted cruelty meant to diminish their dignity and humanity. According to a New York Times article, of the 510,000 people competing at the collegiate level, fewer than 10 identify as transgender. This EO is not about fairness, nor is it about sports. Like so much of what Trump has done, it is designed to instill fear, divide communities, and reinforce oppression.
We reject these acts of harm and refuse to be silent.
While Trump attempts to strip away the freedoms of our transgender siblings, we respond with unwavering love and affirmation. Our words, our sermons, and our public witness must remind trans youth and adults alike: you are seen, you are valued, and your lives are sacred.
While Trump governs with bigotry, we move with justice. We call on our churches and faith communities to go beyond passive support—to create spaces where trans people are welcomed not just in theory but in practice. We commit to building communities where trans people live, thrive, and lead.
While Trump uses his power to oppress, we use ours to uplift. That means advocating for policies that protect trans rights, challenging narratives of exclusion, and ensuring that our influence is used to create safety, not harm.
While Trump weaponizes fear, we lean into truth. The truth that we serve a God who welcomes all. The truth that no law or political agenda can erase the divine image reflected in every trans person.
We reject Trump’s attacks on trans people and any platform that seeks to diminish their freedom.
And we call on our communities to respond—not just in word, but in action.
We do not always move in solidarity. But today, let us be clear: we are in alignment with trans people everywhere.
We are inspired by the work of theologians like James Cone, Gustavo Gutiérrez, Renita Weems, and Jeremiah Wright, who remind us that faith must be active, justice must be radical, and love must be liberating.
While Trump aligns himself with a corrupted version of faith that justifies hate, we proclaim a gospel of liberation. A faith that is uncompromising in its commitment to the marginalized. A faith that refuses to cower in the face of oppression.
Let us continue to resist, to build, and to affirm.
Friends, we cannot do this alone. We know that our voice and power are best used in partnership with others, so we invite you to join our LGBTQIA+ Issue Team.