Rev. Phil Phaneuf, Video Screenshot, North Chili United Methodist Church
Upper New York Conference Communications | December 3, 2025
LIVERPOOL, N.Y. — On November 23, 2025, the Rev. Phil Phaneuf announced to the congregation at North Chili United Methodist Church outside of Rochester, New York, that she is transgender and beginning her transition. “I’m not becoming a woman but giving up pretending to be a man.”
Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez
“I give thanks for Rev. Dr. Phil Phaneuf’s courage and honesty in embracing the fullness of who God created her to be,” said Bishop Burgos-Núñez. “Her gifts in preaching, pastoral care, and service continue to enrich our connection. We stand together in love and prayer as she walks this path.”
The United Methodist Church affirms that all people — regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity — are of “sacred worth” and have basic human and civil rights and condemn violence, discrimination, or exclusion based on gender identity or gender expression.
At its 2024 General Conference, The United Methodist Church enacted landmark reforms that reshape the denomination’s stance on LGBTQ+ inclusion. Delegates voted to remove bans on the ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy, lift prohibitions on same-sex marriages, and strike language that had described homosexuality as “incompatible with Christian teaching.”
These changes mark a historic step toward greater openness and affirmation across the Church. At the same time, the reforms preserve freedom of conscience: clergy retain the discretion to decide whether to officiate same-sex marriages, and congregations may discern how best to embody these changes considering their own context and convictions
“United Methodists are a diverse, worldwide Christian community that welcomes people from all walks of life. Our faith and hope are anchored in Jesus Christ. Led by the Holy Spirit, our journey of faith and mission is grounded in Scripture and guided by our doctrine, polity, and social principles," added Bishop Burgos-Núñez. "We celebrate our rich diversity as a gift from God. Although we may not always agree on certain specific issues, we remain joyfully united in our love for Christ and our shared mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
In May, during its annual session, the Upper New York Annual Conference voted to establish an LGBTQ+ Inclusion Team. This team will guide the development, curation, and distribution of resources designed to support queer clergy and assist congregations looking to grow in their inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals.
“I invite all members of our faith community to join in prayer, staying steadfast in our shared love for Christ and for one another. In this spirit, let us reaffirm our commitment to the Wesleyan call to do no harm, do good, and grow in our love for God. May our prayers strengthen us, our unity sustain us, and our love guide us as we walk together in faith,” concluded Bishop Burgos-Núñez.
Shelby Winchell is Upper New York Conference Director of Communications