"When Rev. Dr. Phillippa "Pastor Phil" Phaneuf stood before her New York congregation at North Chili United Methodist Church outside Rochester on the Sunday before the first Advent and came out as transgender, she believed she was making an announcement primarily for the people she had pastored for six years. She expected the news might ripple through the congregation, perhaps the district. She did not expect it to reach the national spotlight."
"Meanwhile, the 12-minute video clip of her announcement-"I'm not becoming a woman but giving up pretending to be a man"-had circulated widely online, drawing attention from faith communities, LGBTQ+ advocates, conservative media, and denominations across the country. Across the sanctuary that Sunday, congregants' cheers and words of encouragement rose as Phaneuf spoke. In the days afterward, she said, the affirming messages "far exceed the other kinds of comments that are out there.""
Rev. Dr. Phillippa "Pastor Phil" Phaneuf came out as transgender to her North Chili United Methodist Church congregation the Sunday before the first Advent after pastoring the community for six years. She expected a local response but the 12-minute video of the announcement circulated widely online and drew national attention from faith communities, LGBTQ+ advocates, conservative media, and denominations. Congregants cheered during the announcement and many reached out with affirmations, including LGBTQ+ people and allies who described relief. The announcement occurred during service announcements rather than the sermon. Affirming messages far exceeded negative responses.
Read at Advocate.com
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