I've been looking at the news articles about this this morning. It makes for sombre reading. One really brought the message home ... here is the headline and link ... "Beaten, stoned and burnt alive: 226 Trans people murdered this year" http://shar.es/1X78hY via @gaystarnews
It's a horrible thing to imagine the loneliness and the desolation of someone who feels they matter so little, that they should remove themselves from the earth. It's even worse to read about some of the truly barbaric things and ruthless acts of violence and murder that other people commit against Trans members of society.
It shouldn't be that way.
For me, what is even more heartbreaking, is when faith groups abandon these people and perpetuate the message that they aren't valued or worthy. Faith groups should be going forward with the message that all are valued by God, that all are loved, that all are worthy, that all are God's children. Instead, we have some groups in all faiths that feel that they have the right to sit in the judgement seat, and begin proclaiming who can and can't be a part of their faith and of society. They always claim to be the only true adherents of their faith, thereby dismissing & claiming superiority over those who try to express the faith in a more inclusive way. The reality is that theirs is one possible expression of faith, not THE expression of faith, and there are other ways, that include and affirm.
I give thanks for those in all faiths who are working hard for the full inclusion of the LGBT community in their faiths (I blogged about some of the Christian groups doing just that in a previous post - here), and I hope, wish & pray that more and more faith communities can truly be places of refuge and hope for ALL people who are disempowered & voiceless ... as they should.
I'm reminded of the lyrics of the Depeche Mode song, "People are people" ... and praying for a change.
Will you join in me in asking whether or not you could be a part of that change?
Depeche Mode - People are people
People are people so why should it be
You and I should get along so awfully
So we're different colours
And we're different creeds
And different people have different needs
It's obvious you hate me
Though I've done nothing wrong
I never even met you
So what could I have done
I can't understand
What makes a man
Hate another man
Help me understand
People are people so why should it be
You and I should get along so awfully
Help me understand
Now you're punching and you're kicking
And you're shouting at me
I'm relying on your common decency
So far it hasn't surfaced
But I'm sure it exists
It just takes a while to travel
From your head to your fist
I can't understand
What makes a man
Hate another man
Help me understand
