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LGBTQ+ Perspectives
If the Catholic Church Were Tolerant, this Trans Man Wouldn’t Be Alive
I have a complicated relationship to Catholicism
A man I was getting to know mentioned Christianity in passing, unprepared for my response.
When I stated an obvious truth about the ways that many members of Christian leadership have impacted LGBTQ+ people, I noticed his eye twitched just a little and his body tensed up. My peripheral vision noted fingers discretely balling up into a fist on the table. In response to his body language, I stated an equally valid truth that was more pleasant for a Christian unready to face both their cultural history and current events to hear. Two things can be true at the same time. Christians can do wonderful and terrible things, just like everybody else. He visibly relaxed at this more pleasant truth, and we continued getting to know each other.
As I smiled at him, I made a mental note that I wasn’t working with someone who was safe for a trans man like me to be around.
Could I have been wrong? Absolutely.
He could be a staunch LGBTQ+ ally. He could even be an LGBTQ+ person, whether he knows it or not. His discomfort and his silence did nothing to make me feel safe, and I can’t afford to give anyone the benefit of the doubt in this political climate. I will trust my instincts about his twitching eye until he proves me wrong.
Christians who I can trust don’t need me to explain how Christian-inspired politics are harming LGBTQ+ people in deadly ways as we speak. They don’t need me to explain the violent history of Christianity from a queer or trans perspective. Even if they did have some learning to do, they would research that themselves instead of demanding that emotional labor from someone who is being harmed in this moment. Then, they would speak up so that I don’t have to. That’s the kind thing to do. That’s the sort of thing a good Christian would be proud of doing.
Christians who I can trust are some of the most powerful allies that I could ever hope for. Their single word of support is worth ten of mine with a group of powerful people who are not so likely to listen to my queer voice.
