Recent policy updates by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have raised alarms among scholars and members alike, who fear that these changes may further marginalize transgender members, reinforcing what some describe as a “second-class” status within the faith.
Laurie Lee Hall, a former stake president and temple architect who was excommunicated for living as a transgender woman, expressed deep concern over the new guidelines, calling them “egregious and onerous.” Hall believes the church has regressed in its approach to transgender individuals.
The updated guidelines, released on Monday, include revisions on various topics, such as temple garments and new roles for Young Women. However, the most contentious changes reaffirm the church’s stance that gender is determined by biological sex at birth, discouraging any form of transitioning. The handbook, while reiterating that the church “does not take a position on the causes” of gender identity issues, imposes restrictions on the participation of transgender members in church activities.
Clarifications on Transgender Members’ Participation
Previously, the involvement of transgender members in church activities varied depending on the discretion of local leaders. The new handbook seeks to standardize this by introducing specific restrictions:
- Transgender individuals must attend gender-specific meetings and activities based on their sex assigned at birth. Exceptions are rare and require approval from higher church authorities.
- Transgender members who have undergone any form of transition—surgical, medical, or social—are barred from working with children, teaching, or holding gender-specific church positions. They can, however, be assigned other roles within the congregation.
- For gender-specific overnight activities, transgender individuals are only allowed to attend those that correspond with their assigned sex at birth.
- For other overnight events, such as youth conferences, transitioned individuals must leave at the end of the day and arrange accommodations separately.
- Transgender members are advised to use single-occupancy restrooms when available. If not, they may consult with leaders to find a suitable alternative.
The updated guidance also addresses the use of preferred names and pronouns, advising that these should be determined by individuals and their families, not by local leaders. Despite these updates, the requirement remains that all sacred ordinances, including baptism and temple rites, must align with one’s sex assigned at birth. Transgender individuals who have transitioned cannot receive temple recommends or hold the priesthood.
Responses and Concerns
Hall, who authored “Dictates of Conscience: From Mormon High Priest to My New Life as a Woman,” expressed dismay over the potential impact of these policies on transgender members, particularly young people. She noted that the restrictions, such as needing a chaperone to clear a restroom before use, are “dehumanizing and degrading.”
Taylor Petrey, a historian of gender in the church, criticized the policies for perpetuating fears and misconceptions about transgender individuals, placing them in a category with sex offenders. Petrey believes these changes reflect a capitulation to “right-wing fearmongering.”
Kate Mower, a nonbinary scholar, also voiced concerns about the language used in the handbook, particularly the repeated reference to “biological sex assigned at birth.” Mower argued that this phrasing undermines the understanding of gender within the LGBTQ community and excludes nonbinary individuals altogether, reinforcing the idea that “we don’t exist.”
Other Handbook Changes
In addition to the transgender-related updates, the handbook includes new guidance on wearing temple garments, particularly for members with medical conditions or devices. The church now advises members to seek spiritual guidance in such situations and permits them to temporarily forgo the garments if necessary.
Young Women in the church have been given a new responsibility: organizing the youth to welcome visitors during Sunday services. This marks a significant shift, as it may be the first time young female members have been assigned a formal role in Sunday worship.
Finally, the handbook has been updated to clarify that no one will be compelled to remain in a sealed marriage throughout eternity against their will, addressing concerns about the church’s teachings on eternal marriage.
These policy changes have sparked a wide range of reactions within the Latter-day Saint community, with some praising the increased responsibilities given to women and others lamenting the restrictions placed on transgender members, what do you think about this?.
