Dear friends in Christ,

This week the President of the United States declared there are only two genders: male and female. We write today to say something which we would not think needed to be said: The president does not get to dictate human gender classification. The law does not get to dictate gender classification. Even the apostle Paul, almost two thousand years ago, knew that human-imposed definitions, such as ethnicity, social class, oppressor’s titles or gender were not valid. Because of the unifying work of Jesus Christ, all human labels no longer apply. 

We understand that each of our human brains is complex, beautiful, and elastic. We continue to evolve as individuals, and as a species. God knows us personally and intimately, even “knowing the number of hairs on your head,” according to Jesus (Luke 12:7). God knows the body, soul and mind of each person, including, and perhaps especially those who do not fit neatly in society’s categories. Jesus defied society’s definitions, and loves others who do as well. 

Christians believe ALL humans are created in God’s image. We also confess that God is best revealed in the Trinity, a diverse, complex, interwoven expression. So, too, then, our human identity and expression will be diverse and interwoven. This diversity includes the myriad ways gender is understood and expressed by each human. I invite us into a broader-than-we-can comprehend God and God’s creation.

The Evangelical Lutheran in America wrote in its 2019 social statement Faith, Sexism and Justice: A Call to Action that Christians are called to “advocate for and support laws, policies, and practices that respect diverse bodies rather than discriminating against, objectifying, or devaluing them. Women, girls, and people who identify as non-binary must not be deprived of their human or civil rights.”  (p. 60). For the president to declare someone’s gender identity does not exist is to deprive them of their very right to personhood, a basic human right.  

The same ELCA social statement declares, “Studies of humans reveal rich diversity, showing that individuals do not neatly fall into two categories. Some people are intersex: their bodies are neither male nor female. People have a diversity of characteristics, most of which cannot be assigned exclusively to one sex or gender or another. Among humans, sex and gender are more accurately characterized as multidimensional.” (p.32) 

For transgender, non-binary, gender queer and non-conforming people, you are loved. To the families of those same people, know that the ELCA is not perfect or of one mind about many things, but as synod leaders we stand united in solidarity with and celebrate people of all gender expressions.

Please pray for all who are in harm’s way because of our President’s words. 

In Christ,

Bishop Deborah Hutterer
Vice President Barbara B. Carl
Grand Canyon Synod, ELCA

Bishop David Nagler
Vice President Jeff Cours
Pacifica Synod, ELCA

Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni
Vice President Ruth Hoffman
Rocky Mountain Synod, ELCA

Bishop Jeff R. Johnson
Vice President Simon Wong
Sierra Pacific Synod, ELCA

Bishop Brenda Bos
Vice-President Lisa Curtis
Southwest California Synod, ELCA