The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has strengthened its policies regarding the inclusion of people with social and medical gender dysphoria. While the church stresses the need to be sympathetic to those who dislike reality and those with gender dysphoria, LGBT activists are outraged by the church's apparent unwillingness to subordinate its beliefs to their current ones.
Last week, the Mormon Church Made several updates The digital Comprehensive Handbook provides similar instruction to leaders and members on social and medical cross-dressing issues.
Developed under the direction of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, this handbook Maintain It states that gender is reducible to the biological sex assigned at birth and that “worthy individuals who do not surgically, medically or socially transition from their biological sex assigned at birth are entitled to enjoy the full privileges of membership in the Church.”
The handbook also advises against Mormons “seeking to surgically, medically, or socially transition from their biological sex assigned at birth,” suggesting that those who do so would face certain restrictions on membership.
For example, people who have undergone gender reassignment or “social transition” are prohibited from “receiving or exercising the priesthood, receiving or using a temple recommend, or serving in certain Church callings.”
The updated guidance also bars transgender people from being baptized or confirmed in the church, and while the guidance leaves room for exceptions, baptized transgender people will still not be able to be ordained or receive temple recommends or other callings.
The Church, Guidance for local leaders Under the new changes, transvestites will no longer be allowed to participate in coeducational overnight activities, such as youth camps, nor will they be called or assigned to “(1) fulfil gender-specific roles; (2) serve as teachers; or (3) work with children or adolescents.”
Detransitioners who accept their biological sex and demonstrate that they are “worthy of and committed to observing God's commandments” can resume full membership privileges.
When it comes to using restrooms, the guidelines indicate that transvestites should use the facility that corresponds to their biological sex, a private restroom, or the restroom of their choice, provided they can ensure that no one “trusted” is there.
While the Church bans medical cross-dressers from various priesthoods and denies them some privileges, Emphasized People with gender dysphoria and their families should be treated with kindness, compassion, and Christ-like love.
Church spokesman Doug Anderson said: said The New York Times reported that the updated guidance is “aimed at helping Latter-day Saints follow Jesus Christ's example of serving with love, patience and respect.”
“The messages conveyed through these policies affect everyone.”
LGBT activists have been outraged by the changes, with some expressing surprise that a church that opposes gay “marriage” and gay sexual activity would continue to oppose gender ideology.
For example, the LGBTQ Mormon, Family and Friends Advocacy Group said “We grieve with our transgender brothers and sisters as they grapple with the painful implications of recent policy changes and guidelines announced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” the group said in an Aug. 20 statement.
“Rather than seeking to better understand, accept and affirm transgender people who are Latter-day Saints, church leaders have chosen to further restrict the participation of these members,” the advocacy group said. “While these changes specifically affect people who have socially or medically transitioned, the messages conveyed in these policies that deny authentic experiences and identities affect everyone.”
Laurie Lee Hall, a transvestite who left the church in 2017 after transitioning. said The Associated Press noted that the guidelines, particularly the ban on cross-dressers interacting with children, “imply that transgender people somehow pose a danger to others.”
“For believers who are still coming to terms with their gender identity and faith, this is dehumanizing and too harmful to deal with,” said the father of four. “It's going to be a while before we see legitimate social policy change in the church.”
Utah Pride Center Donations received Transgender youth and adults from the church in the past have said that this policy “creates an unnecessary barrier for transgender youth and adults who wish to stand on what they believe to be sacred ground.” Reported Axios.
“The new rules inflict enormous shame on individuals who choose to live authentic, vulnerable and honest lives,” the activist group added.
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