The Episcopal Church took a step toward fuller inclusion of transgendered individuals in the life and mission of the church when the House of Bishops voted in favor of legislation prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity or expression.

Resolution D002 states that no one can be refused access to the ordination process because of their gender identity, while Resolution D019 prohibits anyone from being denied a place in the “life, worship, and governance of the church” due to their gender identity.

“I am pleased that these resolutions did pass in that they have the very significant effect of validating, in the eyes of the church, the humanity of those who are transgender,” Rev. Carolyn Woodall of the Diocese of San Jaoquin told Episcopal News Service after the bishops’ vote.

“We are greatly misunderstood and there is a widespread lack of knowledge about what it means to be transgender,” she continued.

During the debate, the bishop who ordained Woodall to the vocational diaconate, Chet Talton of San Jaoquin, told the House that her ordination had been “wonderfully received. The person entered the ordination process and proceeded through that process without any regard really for her gender, but because she obviously possessed the qualities that lent themselves to the ministry of the diaconate to which she was ordained.”

“Their presence and access to the ordination process ought to be affirmed in a way that this proposed change indicates,” Talton continued.

Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, who became the denomination’s first openly gay bishop when he was elected in 2003, encouraged his fellow bishops to vote for the resolution, saying that it “talks about access to the ordination process. It does not command anyone to affirm anyone in the ordination process but does say that all members of this church, including those whose gender identity and expression are perhaps different from the norm, have that access.”

But the resolutions did have their opponents. Andrew Waldo, Bishop of Upper South Carolina, advocated a slower approach. “I believe we need to have more discussion in the church, in our congregations, in order to be able to speak in a way that is theologically sound, that gives a deeper understanding of what it means to be a transgender person.”

He was joined in opposition by fellow Palmetto State Bishop Mark Lawrence of the Diocese of South Carolina, who warned that “we are entering into a time of individualized eros.” He went on to express his concern that this would lead to “the freedom of every individual to self-define every aspect of who they are in such a way that we no longer have any kinds of norms. We are entering into the chaos of individuality. It’s an idol that will break us.”

Meanwhile, the House of Deputies passed two significant pieces of structural legislation. Resolution B013 would permit the Presiding Bishop to remain a diocesan bishop after their election. The Presiding Bishop presides over the House of Bishops, serves as chief pastor, and has a range of executive and ecumenical functions. Since 1938, he or she has had to resign their diocesan responsibilities upon election in order to concentrate on their national role.

During the debate on Resolution B013, deputies expressed concern that they were being asked to put the proverbial cart before the horse, since the church is currently engaged in a wide-ranging discussion about its political structure.

“We have no idea what we’re getting into. We have not even begun to talk about re-understanding the office of the presiding bishop and whether or not a move of this sort is appropriate,” said the Rev. Bill Ellis, a deputy from the Diocese of Spokane.

But Dr. Fredrica Thompsett, a deputy from the Diocese of Massachusetts and member of the Committee on Structure, argued that the resolution was a suitable first step in the wider program of structural renewal. “This gives us a creative and permissive possibility to allow wise decision making and options in a period in which we are considering and will be considering the nomination of a next presiding bishop,” she said.

Deputies also voted to give a second reading to a proposed change to the church’s constitution that would abolish the requirement for bishops elected within 120 days of a General Convention to have their elections confirmed by the House of Deputies. In all other cases, a bishop’s election is confirmed by a majority of the diocesan bishops and diocesan standing committees. The Deputies’ vote was the final step needed to make the change official. The amendment was approved by both Houses at the 2009 General Convention and the House of Bishops voted in favor of it earlier in the Convention.

Image Courtesy of Radoslaw Lecyk / Shutterstock.com

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New Dehli, India – In a national event organized by Pehchan, Hijras highlight discrimination and demand equality for their community.

Stakeholders from government, media, policy bodies, the transgender and hijra community, and civil society came together on June 2nd for the first National Hijra Habba. The event was organized by Pehchan, a five-year program that strengthens and builds the capacity of 200 community-based organizations in 17 states to advance HIV prevention. The national consultation discussed efforts to achieve equality for transgenders and hijras and drew attention to the significant challenges faced by these communities.

Addressing the event, Gauri Sawant, General Secretary, Transgender and Hijra Welfare Board, Maharashtra, said, “In India, cases of violence go unreported as the present social and legal environment is oppressive towards transgender persons and hijras. Due to their different gender identity, they are denied opportunities to earn a living, to study, and to access health services. Even changing their names and sex in official documents is not easy.”

Pehchan collaborates with India’s National AIDS Control Program and would reach 453,750 MSM (males who have sex with males), transgenders and hijras by 2015 and is the Global Fund’s largest single-country grant to date focused on the HIV response for vulnerable sexual minorities.

Held at Vishwa Yuvak Kendra in New Delhi, the Hijra Habba included speeches, experience sharing and community performances by leaders from transgender and hijra community. In-depth discussions were held on issues including social entitlements, legal status, violence, economic vulnerabilities, and feminization.

At the heart of the event was the development of an action plan for advocacy for the next three years on priority issues for these communities. Ms. Aradhana Johri, Additional Secretary, National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), affirmed the importance of these populations to the national HIV prevention strategy and acknowledged the need for continued effort to control the epidemic among transgenders and hijras.

According to James Robertson, Country Director, India HIV/AIDS Alliance, “India has been a global leader in defining an effective HIV prevention response for transgenders and hijras. The world has much to learn from this example. While progress has been made, the journey towards equality for transgenders and hijras is not yet over.”

The India HIV/AIDS Alliance (Alliance India) is a partnership that brings together organizations and communities to support a sustained response to HIV in India. Complementing the national program in India, it works through capacity building, knowledge sharing, technical support and advocacy. Through a network of partners, Alliance India supports the delivery of community-based HIV programs to key groups affected by the epidemic.

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Logo is evolving its programming focus with new series and development deals that reflect gays and lesbians’ increasing integration into mainstream culture today and their desire for shows that appeal to their multiple interests.

In the 6 years since Logo launched, there has been a seismic shift in culture and the network’s new programming slate reflects that. From the push for marriage equality, to the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and even the mass appeal of broadcast TV shows like “Modern Family” all signal a significant movement in today’s culture where “out” characters are celebrated for their success and values and the majority of gays and lesbians define themselves by multi-dimensional notions other than purely on their sexual orientation.

“Culturally, we’re past the tipping point. For gays and lesbians, it’s part of who they are, but they don’t lead with it, because many are leading fully integrated, mainstream lives,” said Lisa Sherman, Executive Vice President of Logo. “Our goal at Logo has always been to honestly reflect our viewers’ lives. We’re now reinforcing our commitment to them with programming that truly mirrors how many of them are living and want to be entertained today.”

Further evidence comes from a new study Logo conducted in partnership with Starcom Mediavest Group and its Beyond Demographics series.  Coming out this spring, the identity research gives light on how lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender community lives today.  For instance, early findings show that 53 percent conveyed that Gays don’t hide being gay, but that for them it’s not a priority to showcase it. And only 30 percent indicated that they preferred living and socializing in exclusively gay and lesbian communities.

“The gay community continues to evolve in size, influence and identity,” said Starcom Mediavest’s Esther Franklin, EVP, head of SMG Americas Experience Strategy.  ”Beyond Demographics allows us to understand the needs of this critical community as they emerge and to paint a clearer, more specific picture of what’s meaningful and relevant in their lives.”

Ellen Rakieten (Ellen Rakieten Productions), Ken Mok (10X10 Productions, “America’s Next Top Model”) and J. Paul Buscemi, Tony DiSanto and Liz Gately (DiGa), Go Go Luckey Entertainment (“Laguna Beach”) and T-Group (“Storage Hunters”) have all signed on to produce a diverse array of projects for Logo, covering docu-reality and competition genres.

Topics cover the ambition behind children’s beauty pageants, the stress of adopting a child, the dramas of running a West Hollywood family business and their passion for pets.  The network is also expanding the mission behind its hit series “RuPaul’s Drag U,” produced by World of Wonder, while adding programming that covers and comments on the pop culture that Logo viewers love.

“These new projects are anchored by stories that go deep into today’s world: Eden Wood has already accomplished more than most of us will in our entire lives.  Wanting to start a family is a universal desire, no matter who you love.  Families in business together during a recession could be the ultimate drama.

And pets are now surrogate children for a lot of people — who go to great lengths to celebrate them,” said Brent Zacky, Senior Vice President, Original Programming, Logo.  “An expanded vision for ‘RuPaul’s Drag U’ and shows that review the more notorious elements of pop culture fill out our diverse menu of themes that will further engage and grow Logo’s audience.”

Image Courtesy of  Kobby Dagan / Shutterstock.com

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