Harmony Responds to Surge in Proposed Anti-Trans Legislation with Action Plan

Over the last few weeks, 39 states across the United States have proposed anti-trans bills in an attempt to completely erase these beautiful members of our community in the name of “protecting children.” We know better than to believe that, and our Trans siblings deserve our undivided attention and action to ensure their lives are safe, legally protected, and embraced as members of our societies. 

Click here to track proposed anti-2SLGBTQIA+ legislation across the country.

Harmony condemns these heinous attacks on God’s beloved children and calls on the lawmakers proposing such legislation to reverse their positions immediately.

In response to what appears to be an all out attack on our community across the United States, Harmony has established an action plan for members and friends of our organization and Community of Christ to help you get involved:
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1. Write your representatives as soon as possible to let them know you stand in solidarity with Trans individuals and drag performers in your state. We’ve put together a script to get you started!
2. Participate in protests taking place in your area.
3. Write to your apostles and church leaders requesting that they issue a statement in opposition to these proposed laws that fly in the face of God’s vision for their children.
4. Donate (financially or in-kind) to nonprofits in your area (or national) that work tirelessly to protect Trans lives. Some we recommend include: Trans Lifeline, Transgender Law Center, National Center for Transgender Equality, The Trevor Project, and Human Rights Campaign (HRC).
5. Attend municipal town halls and local school board meetings to ensure you remain fully aware of how the conversation is progressing in your area.
6. Volunteer with Queer/2SLGBTQIA+ organizations that support this vulnerable population in your area.
7. Start reading books written by and/or about Trans individuals and their experiences. Maybe you can get a book club going! PFLAG has a fantastic recommended reading list to help you get started.
8. Discuss with your local congregation how you can show up for Trans individuals there. Offer to sponsor events, walk in protests, donate, and/or put signs around your area reminding the Trans community that they are loved and celebrated by God just as they are.
9. Consider taking part in Harmony’s Welcoming and Affirming Program as a way for your congregation to better show up for members of the Trans community.
10. Coordinate with your mission center leaders to ensure your summer youth camping programs (and the staffing requirements to support them) are more inclusive.

The hymn For Everyone Born (CCS #285) has become central to our denomination’s call to respond to social justice issues just like these. A new verse has been circulating that we found to be most timely and meaningful:

For all who have breath, a place at the table,
a covenant shared, a welcoming space,
a rainbow of race and gender and color,
for all who have breath, the chalice of grace,
               and God will delight when we are creators
               of justice and joy, compassion and peace:
               yes, God will delight when we are creators
               of justice, justice and joy!

May we each find the courage, manifest the strength, and live out the inmost call to care for one another in the midst of deep division and uncertainty, and may God delight in this act of love and peace. Amen.

Your Harmony Board of Directors