In a move that has sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ+ community, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) has updated its General Handbook, introducing new restrictions that further marginalize transgender members. The changes, which bar transgender individuals from working with children or serving in teaching roles, mark a significant escalation in the church’s stance on gender identity and have left many members and allies feeling disheartened.
A Brief Overview of the Policy Changes
The new policies, released in August 2024, expand upon existing guidelines that already placed restrictions on transgender individuals within the church. According to the updated handbook, transgender people who have pursued a surgical, medical, or social transition from their biological sex at birth are now prohibited from participating in several key aspects of church life. These include working with children, serving as teachers, and holding gender-specific roles.
Additionally, transgender members are now barred from attending overnight activities that are open to both men and women. They are, however, permitted to attend gender-specific activities, such as women’s camps, but only with others who share their biological sex. The church’s definition of social transition includes changes in dress, names, and pronouns, further narrowing the space for transgender members to express their identities within the faith.
One of the most controversial aspects of the new policy is the church’s stance on restroom use. Transgender individuals are encouraged to use single-occupancy restrooms where available. If these are not accessible, they may use a restroom that aligns with their gender identity, but only if a “trusted person” stands outside to ensure others do not enter simultaneously.
These changes have sparked significant debate, with many LGBTQ+ advocates and allies within the church voicing concerns about the implications for transgender members.
The Impact on Transgender Members
As a former member of the LDS Church, I know firsthand the complexities of reconciling faith with gender identity. For many transgender members, the church was once a place of spiritual growth, community, and deep personal connection. I, too, held prominent roles within my ward and cherished the friendships I made with fellow members, including young missionaries who often sought my guidance.
However, these new policies seem to send a clear message: transgender individuals are not fully welcome unless they conform to the church’s rigid definitions of gender. The requirement for transgender members to detransition if they wish to regain full membership privileges, including access to temple ordinances and the ability to serve in various capacities, is particularly painful. It places an impossible burden on those who have found peace and authenticity in their gender transition.
The policy of requiring chaperones for transgender individuals to use the restroom regardless of their gender identity is dehumanizing. It implies that transgender members pose a danger to others, an insinuation that is not only unfounded but also deeply hurtful. The restrictions on working with children or serving in leadership roles further ostracize transgender members, effectively pushing them to the margins of the community.
The Broader Implications for the LGBTQ+ Community
These policy changes come at a time when the broader LGBTQ+ community is already facing significant challenges. Across the United States, transgender individuals are contending with an array of state laws that restrict access to gender-affirming care, ban participation in sports, and limit their rights in public spaces. The LDS Church’s new guidelines add to this climate of exclusion and discrimination.
For LGBTQ+ members who have remained in the church despite these difficulties, the updated policies feel like yet another blow. The church’s message is clear: while transgender members may be welcome in some capacities, they are not truly accepted unless they conform to traditional gender norms. This creates a dissonance between the church’s stated values of love, compassion, and Christlike service, and the reality of its treatment of transgender members.
Tyler Lefevor, a Utah-based therapist and researcher who identifies as queer, highlighted the harm these new policies can cause. “The greatest harm is in the implication for trans members of the church just saying, ‘We really don’t want you here, please leave, and if you’re going to be here, you have to conform to these really high levels of expectations on how you present yourself,’” Lefevor said. This sentiment resonates with many transgender members who feel that their presence in the church is conditional and precarious.
A Church at a Crossroads
The LDS Church has a long history of wrestling with issues related to gender and sexuality. While it has made some efforts to show compassion towards LGBTQ+ members, such as supporting the Respect for Marriage Act in 2022, these new policies suggest a retreat into more conservative and exclusionary practices.
Laurie Lee Hall, a transgender woman who was excommunicated in 2017 after transitioning, expressed her dismay at the new guidelines. “It implies that a trans member is somehow a danger to others,” Hall said. “It’s dehumanizing and far too toxic to handle for members who are still in the process of reconciling their gender identity with their faith.” Hall’s words capture the sense of alienation that many transgender members are likely feeling in the wake of these changes.
The church’s approach to transgender members is also emblematic of a broader struggle within the organization. As society becomes more accepting of diverse gender identities, the LDS Church faces the challenge of balancing its doctrinal beliefs with the lived realities of its members. The new policies suggest that the church is doubling down on its traditional views, even as other religious institutions move towards greater inclusivity.
Matthew Bowman, the Howard W. Hunter Chair of Mormon Studies at Claremont Graduate University, noted that these guidelines are not surprising but are nonetheless painful. “This has been a real struggle for members for a long time since the 1970s and 1980s when the church took a conservative stance on homosexuality,” Bowman said. “Those members are accustomed to the church being unwilling to accommodate and being reluctant to adapt. But, having it spelled out like this is painful.”
A Call for Compassion and Inclusion
As a transgender woman and former member of the LDS Church, I find these new policies deeply troubling. They not only restrict the participation of transgender members but also reinforce harmful stereotypes and stigmas. The church’s insistence on defining gender strictly by biological sex ignores the complex and deeply personal experiences of transgender individuals.
However, I also hold out hope that the church can find a way to reconcile its teachings with a more inclusive approach. The church has, in the past, made significant changes in its policies, such as rescinding the ban on ordination for African Americans. Perhaps, in time, it will come to see that its current stance on transgender members is not only harmful but also inconsistent with the principles of love and acceptance that are central to the Christian faith.
In the meantime, I urge the church and its members to approach transgender individuals with empathy and understanding. Rather than imposing rigid guidelines that alienate and exclude, the church could instead focus on creating a space where all members, regardless of their gender identity, feel welcome and valued.
For transgender members who are struggling with their place in the church, I want to offer a message of hope. Your identity is valid, and your experiences are real. While the church’s policies may feel like a rejection, know that there are many within and outside the faith who support you and believe in your right to live authentically.
The Bottom Line
The LDS Church’s updated policies on transgender members represent a significant step backward in its relationship with the LGBTQ+ community. By imposing new restrictions and reinforcing outdated notions of gender, the church risks alienating a significant portion of its membership and further marginalizing those who are already vulnerable.
As society continues to evolve and become more accepting of diverse gender identities, the LDS Church faces a crucial choice: to remain steadfast in its traditional views or to embrace a more inclusive and compassionate approach. For the sake of its transgender members, I hope it chooses the latter.
The road ahead may be difficult, but by fostering a spirit of understanding and love, the church can create a more welcoming environment for all its members, regardless of their gender identity. Until then, transgender individuals within the LDS Church must continue to advocate for their rights and seek out the support of those who stand with them in solidarity.
