Because of our work to redefine how biblical justice is core to our faith, many young people of faith in the LGBTQIA+ community have found St. Luke’s in the last few years or have come out to us as existing students in the ministry. While St. Luke’s has long been a community affirming of and safe for lesbian, gay, and bisexual members of the church, we are now learning what it looks like to be a more affirming and even safer place for transgender, intersex, and non-gender conforming members.

Our goal is to cast vision for our hope at St. Luke’s, explain the importance of using a person’s preferred name and pronouns, and give some tips for doing so. We believe this video might help people understand how to best serve LGBTQIA+ individuals. It is incredibly important to learn as much as we can – but what’s even more important is that we honor an individual and how they would like to be named and referred to. No matter where you fall theologically or how much education or experience you have on the subject, remember that honoring a person’s name and pronouns quite literally can save their life. This simple act shows a person you care. Think of it like this: just as you had to adjust to my new name when I married three years ago, I ask that you honor the names and pronouns of our students.