A group of over 6,000 Catholic nuns has joined the fight for trans rights, writing in an open letter that trans and non-binary people are “beloved and cherished by God”.
The Sisters of Saint Joseph Federation and several other Catholic organizations published an open letter on Trans Day of Visibility that supports the LGBTQ+ community and criticizes the recent influx of oppressive and discriminatory legislation sweeping the US.
The letter read, “We mark March 31, International Day of Transgender Visibility, as a time to celebrate, acknowledge and uplift folks who identify as transgender, nonbinary, and/or gender-expansive. We know our actions and commitments must extend beyond this day’s observance.”
The nuns’ letter added that trans people in the United States are experiencing harm and erasure due to anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, discrimination, and harmful rhetoric from some Christian institutions, including the Catholic Church.
The Catholic groups who signed shared a wish to provide deep belonging for trans people in the church, and said the church will become an oppressor unless it accepts the LGBTQ+ community.
This message of LGBTQ+ acceptance comes shortly after Pope Francis’ clarification in January that although he doesn’t think being gay is a crime, he still believes that homosexuality is a sin.
