Rev. Elder Wilhelmina Hein’s life is a testament to profound personal evolution and unwavering commitment to faith and justice. Born in the Netherlands, Hein’s journey led her to Australia, where she confronted questions of her own identity and sexuality within a strict religious upbringing.
Her “second coming out” in 1975 marked a pivotal moment, leading her to the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) in Adelaide, where she found a welcoming spiritual home.Throughout her career, Rev. Hein served in various pastoral roles, most notably as an MCC Elder (aka bishop).
She dedicated herself to advocating for minority rights, including effective counseling and surgical intervention for transgender people, and founded Transcare, an MCC initiative supporting persons of trans experience. Her academic pursuits, including Master’s degrees in Education and Psychology, further equipped her to address complex issues within the community. In 2023, she earned a doctorate degree.
She underwent gender confirmation surgery in 1995. In addition to teaching future clergy via Samaritan College, serving churches in Australia and New Zealand, and pastoring 3 churches in the US over 8 years, Ms. Hein’s spiritual journey continued to evolve, eventually leading to her conversion to Judaism. She now lives where her life started, in the Netherlands. Her life reflects a continuous quest for truth and belonging.
