Reverend Leo Seyij Allen, a transgender Baptist, understands firsthand what it’s like to experience suicidal thoughts.
Allen says he struggled with his identity when he was a teenager and with the support of his adopted family, he made it through.
On Monday’s Closer Look, Rose spoke to several guests about why they oppose SB140 becoming law.
The controversial law, recently signed into law by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, bans most medical and hormone replacement therapies for transgender children to confirm their gender identity.
Rev. Allen, who now serves as Georgia’s campaign manager for Faith in Public Life, first explained how he uses his life experiences to support others and offered words of encouragement to transgender youth.
“There are coalitions of hundreds of people of faith from all kinds of belief systems, all walks of life that are here for you,” Allen said. “Who will not only pray, speak up and speak out, but will show active solidarity to make sure our children and our families are safe – to make sure no law takes away rights that God says are ours.” are. ”
Rebecca Stapel-Wax, executive director of Sojourn, the Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender and Sexual Diversity, then spoke to Scott about the need for ministers to understand the full scope of pastoral care and the severity of SB 140.
“I think people often don’t feel equipped in religious communities,” says Stapel-Wax. “You don’t have the language. They don’t have the lyrics to rely on.”
Most recently, Rose spoke to the Frame family. The family of four spoke about their experiences raising and supporting a child who identifies as age/non-binary.
“Children want to know how they can help. How can they help decision makers see them – and that’s difficult,” said Naimah Oladuwa. “It’s difficult when you’re talking about a conservative-leaning state and advocacy and youth advocacy and what matters. And as you know, we try to have open conversations. There are no secrets in our house.”
