Listen To Story Above
A recently published resource by LGBTQ Faith UK claims that transgender identity finds support within biblical texts, suggesting diverse gender expressions exist throughout scripture.
Anglican campaign group claims the Bible is “PRO-TRANS” https://t.co/YstiDXquUU pic.twitter.com/c7oP8zEVBm
— End Time Headlines (@EndTimeHeadline) December 25, 2024
The document, authored by Ann Reddecliffe as part of the “Bible Affirms” series, explores various biblical figures who allegedly demonstrate non-traditional gender characteristics.
“Not everyone in the Bible is cisgender. Nor is everyone in the Bible biologically or anatomically male or female,” states the text, written by Ann Reddecliffe.
An Anglican advocacy group has published guidance claiming the Bible affirms transgender, intersex, and queer individuals. The document, featured on the LGBT Faith UK website, argues that "not everyone in the Bible is cisgender" and points to "clear queer characters" in biblical… pic.twitter.com/eI8pQVn3g8
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) December 30, 2024
“In the Bible, the clearest example of this are eunuchs, who can be seen as the biblical ‘ancestors’ of trans people,” the text continues.
“Some people were born with poorly formed male genitals or missing male genitals,” it declares. “In contemporary terms, they would be intersex, but when the Bible was written, they would have been eunuchs.”
The analysis points to early Christian practices, noting that eunuchs were fully embraced within church communities without conforming to strict gender binaries.
To support this interpretation, the document references the biblical account from Acts 8, describing Philip’s encounter with an Ethiopian eunuch, who served as treasurer to the Ethiopian queen.
“We can put modern labels of intersex or queer or trans onto him, but a different label would be ‘child of God,'” the text states. “God sent an angel and an apostle to bring him into the church, not as a second-class worshipper, but as a full and equal member.”
The resource extends its analysis to other biblical figures, suggesting the Samaritan woman from John 4 potentially represents an intersex individual, though it provides no explicit rationale for this interpretation beyond Jesus’s accepting interaction with her.
The document also examines biblical characters through a queer lens, particularly focusing on gender roles. It highlights Deborah from the Book of Judges as an example of gender nonconformity in leadership and military contexts.
The text emphasizes that Deborah’s military leadership was particularly noteworthy, stating that “Going to war was a very male thing for a woman to do.”
The resource concludes that she “is the only recorded female leader of Israel” and led military campaigns against Canaanite forces, challenging traditional gender roles of the time.
