Next Monday is Transgender Day of Visibility. It is a day to recognize the accomplishments and right to exist of a community that has, for too long, been the focus of intense hatred and misunderstanding. The misunderstanding I get – I wasn’t raised with an awareness of what it meant for someone’s outer appearance to not match how they felt inside. I saw comedians – mostly men – occasionally dress as women. I watched Bugs Bunny do the same thing as he enticed Elmer Fudd. I sang “How Lovely to Be a Woman” as I put women’s clothing on for my high school talent show my senior year (yes, I actually did that). I read about cross-dressers and watched women regularly and increasingly wear clothing that previously was reserved only for men. Some of it was in fun and some of it was not; we actually didn’t care much about the difference because transgender people weren’t visible to us – they were a punch line. I feel deep regret for being part of that. I see you now.
A lot of mostly good people will carry on about not needing this kind of recognition. Sermons will be preached against it, shouting about there being two genders and that we have to keep our children safe from “men playing women’s sports.” The first isn’t real science and the second is a bigoted dog-whistle. Those who oppose transpeople don’t see what I see. They don’t see the person trying to be more like who God made them to be. They can’t accept that God sees transgender people and loves them just like God sees and loves me. They can’t see the shallowness of their arguments, proclaiming God’s wrath upon this tiny community while supporting the immorality taking place in our government as we speak. God sees you too, you who promote hatred and violence.
On November 20 we will recognize another day – a day of remembrance that will also see transmen and women. It will be a day much like Good Friday or All Saint’s Day, and services will be held all over the world mourning the results of hatred and violence against people who just want to be seen. It will be a day made necessary because too many people can’t see what God sees. Or what I see. Or what so many other people see. God sees you and God loves you. And so do many of us. Be safe. We see you.
Prayer – Holy God, thank You for loving us even when others don’t get it. You are good and loving, even when too many of Your followers are not. Amen.
Today’s art is “God’s Pure Love” by Deb Brown Maher.