Transgender Day of Remembrance Interfaith Service and the Spiritual Journey of a Fine Woman.

Last night I attended the Montgomery County Interfaith Transgender Day of Remembrance Service at the United Church of Christ of Seneca Valley in Germantown MD.  I came representing my synagogue, Temple Emanuel of Kensington MD, and the Metro DC Chapter of PFLAG.  Speaking were people from many denominations, including Jewish (three rabbis!) and Muslim.  It was a moving, somber in remembering the people who had been murdered because of their gender identity, and ultimately uplifting evening.  The readings pictured here show the best of religion.

"Draw the circle wide."

"There is room for all, there is room for all." 

One of the speakers was L J Ingram, a transgender woman who recently has become a good friend.  After the service, I told her how much I was moved by her remarks and asked if she had published them.  L J, a deeply spiritual and humble person who has gone about the quiet work of helping other transgender people, said she had not, and was reluctant to do so because of her feeling that she had left her story in God's hands.  I responded by noting that President Kennedy had said that in this world, "God's work must truly be our own," and that Dr. King always reminded us that "human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of [people] willing to be co-workers with God." I offered to publish her remarks on my blog, if it was ok with her, with or without mentioning her name.  This morning  L J emailed me the text of her presentation for such publication, adding, "Yes, you may reference me as you make use of my spiritual journey,"  Thank you, L J, for not hiding your light under a bushel.  I believe that her testimony can help others, whether cisgender or transgender on their spiritual journeys. 

Here is L J's presentation from last night:

I seek your prayers. These prayers are not for me. These prayers are for all who have been and are victims of hatred and ignorance. So often, I shout out to the Great Divine... “WHY? Why must so many be oppressed?”

I now offer some words on my experiences and the source of my Faith to keep walking. 

My experiences are my own. I suggest the experience of each transgender person is their own. Furthermore, no matter the individual, whether they identify with a gender, two genders, or no gender... for me... we are all in this life together as One. 

My transgender journey began when I was three years old... You can guess by my grey hair... this was a few years ago. 

Here are some highlights of my journey experience which my God tells me can benefit others. It is because of these experiences and my Faith, I can keep walking in Faith and be present for others.

• In the 1980s, I shared my inner self with members of my family and church.
• Within a year of my sharing this truth, I found myself being sent to reparative therapy. 
• Next, I was in divorce court. 
• Members of my church’s leadership were in court speaking against me.
• The legal authorization for divorce? “Emotional and Mental Abuse.”
• I lost custody of my son.
• As my son became an adult... for 10 years he chose to be estranged from me. I did not know where he lived.
• Having been rejected by my church, I became an active alcoholic. I began to pray to the “black cloud of death” to come and take me. 
• One day, I felt the cloud come before me. Not being prayerful to God at that time, I now know, the following words were a prayer as I called out, “Oh God, I’m killing myself. I need help.”
• Help came. I learned from a good psychologist I had what was referred to as Gender Identity Dysphoria.
• After I transitioned, a significant weight fell away from me. 
• In time, I found a church home which accepted people no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity.
• My son came back into my life and I'm married to a very special woman.
• In Life, my prayers have changed. I now pray for my God to have me and do with me as God wills. I am walking in Faith.

Even with my Faith, anti-transgender acts of hate in society weigh upon me and my family. 

In response, as I walk in Faith, I raise these questions up to God:

• “Why did a family reject their transgender child and push them out of their home?”

• “Why were two young transgender women accosted in Wheaton, Maryland by two men while they walked into a 7-Eleven?”

• “Why was a young transgender women killed while she was walking in her apartment’s parking lot in the middle of the day?”

• “God! What will bring understanding and acceptance between all people?”

Without answers, I keep walking in the Light.