They are sparking a debate.
An Anglican advocacy group has released a resource claiming the Bible supports transgender identity, arguing that not all biblical figures conform to traditional gender norms. The resource, part of the “The Bible Affirms” series on the LGBT Faith UK website, points to figures such as eunuchs and women assuming roles traditionally held by men as evidence that the Bible acknowledges non-binary gender identities. It specifically highlights the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 as an example of acceptance, suggesting that such individuals were embraced by God without needing to conform to conventional gender expectations.
The guidance suggests that eunuchs could be seen as early ancestors of transgender individuals, referencing the story in Acts 8 where Philip baptizes the Ethiopian eunuch, welcoming him fully into the Church. The document interprets this as evidence that those who do not fit into the male or female binary were included in the early Christian community. However, some experts, such as A. Philip Brown II, argue that eunuchs were not intended to represent transgender people in biblical contexts.
The resource also touches on the potential presence of intersex individuals in the Bible, although it admits that no definitive examples exist. One theory proposes that the Samaritan woman in the Gospel of John may have been intersex, and her encounter with Jesus is seen as an affirmation of her identity. The document also highlights the story of Deborah, a female judge who led the Israelites in battle, as an example of women challenging traditional gender roles in scripture.
Authored by Ann Reddecliffe, the guidance is an excerpt from her book LGBTQ Welcome and does not represent the official position of the Church of England. LGBT Faith UK, which is linked to the Changing Attitude advocacy group, campaigns for greater inclusion of LGBTQ people within the Church. Changing Attitude seeks to shift the Church’s traditional views on gender and sexuality to be more inclusive.
Although the Church of England maintains that sexual intimacy should occur within a marriage between a man and a woman, it has made accommodations for transgender individuals, including recognizing marriages involving trans people and modifying baptism services to support them. Nevertheless, Archbishop Justin Welby faced criticism in 2023 for remarks suggesting sexual intimacy is acceptable in stable, committed same-sex relationships, drawing backlash from conservative factions. Figures like British Catholic cleric Calvin Robinson have warned that the Church’s more liberal stance on issues like divorce, same-sex relationships, and transgender rights could erode its Christian values, a concern they believe is spreading globally.