Kade Rogers
Dear Friends,
I am heartbroken by the punitive legislation passed by Iowa lawmakers and signed by Governor Kim Reynolds removing civil rights protections from trans Iowans. According to a 2022 Pew Research study, just 1.6% of U.S. adults identify as trans. Yet this tiny minority has been singled out for marginalization and attack.
I hope that we can reflect on what that means here in Iowa. One group has been singled out. One group has been erased from our civil rights act at the state level. One group, not others. Just this group.
Bishop Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai
Council of Bishops Photo
I do not believe that this is really about bathrooms or sports, because the legislation is so broad. The bill that has just been signed into law completely removes gender identity as a protected class within Iowa’s Civil Rights Act. That could impact housing, employment and access to credit for trans individuals throughout our state. It opens the door to discrimination and harm. A tiny minority that is already disproportionately bullied has been made even more vulnerable. This is not the way of Christ.
I am so proud of our United Methodist clergy and laity, including those who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, who wrote or called their legislators or went to the State Capitol to give witness to who we are as Christians and as United Methodists. Scripture calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31). Our Social Principles affirm that all people are of sacred worth no matter their gender, gender identity or sexuality. Our Social Principles also call us to action. They state,
“…because in many countries sexual and gender minorities are disproportionately impacted by social stigmas, discrimination, coercion and violence, we call on churches, governments, businesses, and civic organizations to do all in their power to combat such unjust treatment and to promote equal rights and protections for all.”[1]
Everyone who showed up at the State House or called their legislator, became a living witness to these words. You were not silent. You were a witness to the Gospel’s call to love and to our United Methodist tradition of holding together social and personal holiness. Thank you.
And, to our trans siblings, I know that what is happening here in Iowa and around our nation is terrifying and disheartening. Yet, Scripture affirms that you are children of God who are precious and honored in God’s sight (Isaiah 43:4). I applaud your integrity and your courage. We see you. You are not erased. And you are not alone.
In Christian Solidarity,
Bishop Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai
[1] United Methodist Social Principles, p. 39.
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Iowa Capitol Protest
An estimated 2,500 demonstrators including United Methodists thronged the Iowa Capitol to protest a state law removing transgender people from civil rights protections. (Photo Courtesy of Rev. Gregory S. Neal/Facebook)
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Inclusive God
A protester holds up a sign saying "God – the Original They/Them," a reference to God as three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Photo Courtesy of the Rev. Gregory S. Neal/Facebook)
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Signs of caring
Iowa citizens, including United Methodists, hold up signs in support of transgender people as the state legislature stripped away their civil rights protections. (Photo Courtesy of the Rev. Gregory S. Neal/Facebook)