The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently released updated guidelines in its General Handbook that have sparked controversy among LGBTQ+ activists. The new policies significantly limit the role of transgender members within the denomination.
According to the updated rules, transgender individuals are prohibited from being baptized and are restricted from working with children or serving as priests or teachers. While the handbook states that transgender individuals are welcome to attend sacrament meetings and participate in other ways, their involvement is now notably curtailed.
Members who have transitioned in any capacity, whether socially, medically, or surgically, are now restricted from staying overnight at youth camps and are only allowed to use single-occupancy restrooms at church meetinghouses. Additionally, a designated person must monitor the restroom to prevent others from entering while a transgender individual is inside.
The General Handbook defines gender as one's biological sex at birth and asserts that the faith does not take a stance on the causes of gender dysphoria. These new guidelines aim to clarify previous ambiguities in the church's policies regarding transgender members.
These stringent guidelines have been met with criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates within the faith, who argue that the policies further marginalize transgender individuals and create barriers to their participation in church activities. Some members, like Laurie Lee Hall, a transgender woman who was excommunicated in 2017, feel alienated by the new restrictions.
Despite the denomination's efforts to adopt a more compassionate approach to LGBTQ+ issues in recent years, the new transgender guidelines signal a return to more conservative policies. The church's stance on transgender inclusion has become a point of contention among members who hope for greater acceptance and inclusivity.
While some members express hope for future policy changes that embrace diversity and inclusion, others fear that continued exclusionary practices could lead to a loss of membership, particularly among younger generations who may reject such restrictive policies.
