Trans Spirituality

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, and we struggle to keep our balance in the stay at home orders and social distancing, many look for ways to find meaning. For those of us who are trans, this presents unique challenges not found in the cis community. As the National Trans Discrimination Survey shows, we are subject to huge amounts of discrimination and forms of oppression from the cis community, whether covert or overt. This often makes belonging to mainstream organizations like religious communities more difficult. Add to this the numbers of us who experience physical, emotional and developmental struggles, and those of the community who face racial/ethnic, and socio-economic oppression, and it becomes very easy to see why trans folx tend to stay away from mainstream religious institutions in large number.

But many during this pandemic are seeking some form of connection. This has drawn large numbers of queer and trans folx to seek support from Ruach, an emotional support non-profit for which I volunteer, providing free counseling.

Ironically, the pandemic offers those who want to try to make a connection with a community, an ideal way to do so. With the exception, perhaps, of Orthodox and Traditional Jewish communities, most religious communities are now broadcasting and sharing their religious services over Facebook Live, Zoom, or some other form of video link. This allows people to try out different forms of worship, in different cities anywhere, to see what moves them.

Quite often major metro areas have more options than smaller areas, so you are much more likely to find queer led services from cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles, than from a small rural city, or from say a Bible Belt city. So if you live in a place that doesn’t have something you like, try out something elsewhere! So far I don’t know of anyone who is charging for this.

In a recent rabbis meeting I was told that music performances would likely have to be curtailed for up to two years, because of the risk of spreading the virus during singing. This sadly includes liturgical music singing – i.e. religious services. None of us in clergy know what this will mean, but expect video services to be here for a long time.

So, if you are seeking a way to find some religious energy from a safe space, without putting yourself in huge risk at the start, at least this is one good thing that has come from the many compromises and tragedies that have come out from the pandemic.

Continue to practice social distancing, wearing your masks, and wash well. Defy orders and pressure to gather while the virus is still active. Remember that we do these things to save lives.

Persistence is Resistance!

Rona

Like to make a comment? Login here and use the comment area below.

Tags: featured, spirituality, Transgender

Category: Transgender Body & Soul