The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has updated its General Handbook to address issues they have been having with transgender members and the church’s policies on biological sex.
Handbook Update for Local Leaders
The General Handbook updates are the church’s attempt at providing local church leaders with more guidance in ministering to their congregations without breaking church doctrine.
Gender Transition Limits Church Participation
Now, the handbook has been updated so that any member who has undergone any form of gender transition, whether it be surgically, medically, or socially, is no longer allowed to serve the church in specific roles.
Transgender Members Barred From Certain Roles
If a member has transitioned in any of these ways, they will no longer be able to work with children, teach, or hold gender-specific assignments in their congregation.
Membership Privileges and Biological Sex
“Worthy individuals who do not pursue surgical, medical, or social transition away from their biological sex at birth may enjoy all the privileges of Church membership,” the handbook states.
Critics Condemn New Policies
While church higher-ups view these changes as necessary for maintaining church doctrine, critics have quickly called the changes stigmatizing and exclusionary.
Former Church Leader Speaks Out
“It’s egregious and onerous,” said Laurie Lee Hall, a former stake president and temple architect who was excommunicated for living as a transgender woman.
Restrictions on Gender-Specific Activities
Transgender members are now also restricted from participating in gender-specific overnight activities and will have to use single-occupancy restrooms when available.
Restroom Policy and Local Solutions
If there are no single-occupancy restrooms available, then transgender members must work with local leaders to find an appropriate solution outside the larger bathrooms of the church.
Support From Within the Church
However, some church leaders are supporting their church members, like Ben Schilaty, a former BYU administrator, who has offered support to transgender members in a social media post.
Encouragement to Use Preferred Pronouns
The handbook update also addressed how church members should use preferred names and pronouns, encouraging members to use the preferred names and pronouns of church members.
Baptism and Temple Rites Unchanged
However, the church’s guidance on baptism and temple rites remains unchanged, with all ordinances to be performed according to a person’s assigned sex at birth.
Exceptions Require Presidential Approval
Members can receive exceptions to this rule, but it requires approval from the First Presidency, which is unlikely to be granted.
Criticism of Restroom Policy
Laurie Lee Hall also criticized the restroom policy, saying, “It’s dehumanizing and degrading to have to have a chaperone clear a restroom before you can use it.”
Updates on Sealing Ordinances and Garment Care
The handbook revisions also include updates on the sealing ordinance and clarify that no one must remain sealed to another person against their will.
Guidance on Sacred Garment Care
Additionally, the handbook changes have introduced guidelines for garment care, and members with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing such garments should not have their status in the church affected.
Historian Critiques Policy Changes
Taylor Petrey, a Latter-day Saint historian of gender in the church, said, “Taken together, the policies contribute to fears that their presence is a danger to others while giving into right-wing fearmongering.”
Concerns Over Right-Wing Influence
Petrey said, “None of these have anything to do with church teachings about priesthood, temple, or long-standing customs of gender-specific classes.”
Political Unease
January Walker, a United Utah Party politician, went on TikTok to comment on the changes and condemn them for going against religious principles of love
The Opposite of Christ
“Hating, excluding, and restricting transgenders is the opposite of Christlike behaviors and compassion.” Walker said.
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