Pastor Announces Gender Transition and Asexual Identity
A Methodist pastor from New York has shared plans to transition to female and has identified as asexual. Pastor Philip Phaneuf, who serves at North Chile United Methodist Church in Rochester, made this announcement during a recent Sunday service.
Wearing a rainbow stole, Phaneuf addressed the congregation, stating, “I am happy to announce that I am transitioning. I want to assure you all that I am transgender. The best way to describe this is that I am not becoming a woman; I am no longer pretending to be a man. This is a journey, and I know some may be surprised by what this entails.”
Phaneuf also discussed her asexuality, explaining, “I belong to the asexual category. It’s been this way since we started gathering. We don’t live our lives looking for romance.”
The pastor has changed her name to Philippa and prefers the pronouns she/her. She mentioned that she has been undergoing hormone replacement therapy for three months, which will bring about changes in her appearance, voice, and hair.
In a conversation with a news outlet, Phaneuf confirmed that the details of her transition are correct and that, so far, the community has been very supportive. “Since revealing this to my congregation, their response has been overwhelmingly positive!” she shared.
Phaneuf also noted that the bishop and the church fully support her transition. Before making the announcement, she consulted with the bishop to ensure that her pastoral duties would remain intact. “What hasn’t changed is that my love for you has deepened,” she added.
On a different note, it seems her parents do not share the same acceptance. “They asked me to tell them everything they don’t support about me,” Phaneuf said during her sermon.
In a broader context, the United Methodist Church, last year, lifted a previous rule that condemned LGBTQ+ identities. The church now views human sexuality as a “divine gift,” affirming that this applies to all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. They emphasize their commitment to support all people, including those in the LGBTQ+ community.
