First hearing conducted on trans perspectives in the church

“There are trans people throughout the Church of Sweden and there always have been, but unfortunately the trans perspective has often been invisible, both theologically and practically,” says Gunilla Hallonsten, priest and head of the Department of Ecclesiastical Life at the Church of Sweden.

“The purpose of today was to create space for the needs and rights of trans people, and for their contributions to the Church of Sweden. We want to listen and learn, and it’s our responsibility as a church to be a church for everyone. But religion, and Christianity, has stirred up much of the homophobia and transphobia in the world, which is also highlighted here today. So it’s our responsibility to discuss these issues.”

Participants included Ulrika Westerlund, the government’s special investigator in the Improved position and living conditions for trans people commission of inquiry; Johanna Wikberg, chair of the Ecumenical Association for Christian LGBTQ People (EKHO); Annelie Salminen from the organisation Transammans, and priests who are trans people.

“It’s all in the Bible”
Actor Rolf Lassgård discussed his starring role in My Dad Marianne, a film adaptation of the book My Father Ann-Christine, about priest Åke, who now goes by the name of Ann-Christine Ruuth. The film premieres in February, but participants at the hearing got to see a clip with Lassgård in the role as priest and trans person.

“I’ve learned a lot about trans people while working on the film, but for me it still falls into the same humanistic mindset – hello, I’m here, we’re here together. It’s all in the Bible. It’s just up to us poor humans to live up to it,” says Rolf Lassgård.

“In the church, we meet people all the time, and goodness knows we should be experts at it! It’s not about being kind, but being professional at what we do,” said Ann-Christine Ruuth.

LGBTQI-affirmative interpretations of biblical texts, theological reflection on being created in the image of God, gender-neutral material for confirmation and work with children and adolescents, and the Church of Sweden’s official position were also addressed in brief lectures and panel discussions. A lot of it boiled down to finding an inclusive approach, and seeing each other as the people we all are in practice.

Transgender people should be respected
“Among other things, the Church of Sweden has clearly stated in comments that the human rights of trans people must be fully respected. Everyone has the right to live independent lives according to their gender identity,” said church secretary Cristina Grenholm.

“But we're not there yet. We need to work with the mind, the heart and how we behave. Theology isn’t something you have, but something you do in your era.”

All lectures and talks at the trans hearing were filmed and will be published at www.svenskakyrkan.se/transhearing by Tuesday 3 December.

BACKGROUND
On two occasions, in 2010 and 2013, the General Synod has encouraged all dioceses to carry out LGBTQ certification of workplaces in the Church of Sweden. This resulted in the Rainbow Key (in Swedish) LGBTQ label, which aims to increase knowledge among employees and to contribute to a safe environment for LGBTQ people in the Church of Sweden.
Several places in the Church of Sweden have best practices and educational methods that need to be disseminated throughout the organisation. There is also a need for further methodology development and theological reflection. The trans hearing was a way to feature the life situation of trans people in the church and Swedish society, in support of continued work.