Religion and Putting the “T” Back into GLBT

What motivates religious conservatives to discriminate against the transgender community, and how should transgender people respond to such attacks?

On Aug. 9, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, hosted a discussion about the transgender community and faith. Diversity counselor and trainer the Rev. Dr. Julie Nemecek, a transgender woman and former pastor, led the talk. Nemecek helped those present explore an aspect of many transgender people’s lives not often touched upon: faith.

Nemecek started out by discussing five motivations for religious discrimination against LGBT people. She titled her presentation “Religion and GLBT People” because often, religious arguments used against trans people are specifically about LGB people.

The first motivation, Nemecek said, is legalism. Those using religious arguments against trans people emphasize legalism, as opposed to the love and grace emphasized in the Bible. Another motivation is “selective literalism.” Some conservatives may feel that they need to honor or protect the word of God, so they apply their own understanding to passages.

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