Pocket of Faith is a monthly newsletter directly geared towards the intersection of LGBTQ+ human rights and faith. We are proud to showcase this important subject, revealing that faith, religion, and LGBTQ+ rights co-exist in harmony and not in opposition.
Written by Jai Davis (they/them), faith organizer for Georgia Equality
The Trickle-Down Effect: How Attacks on Trans Rights Threaten Us All
In a world where civil rights are supposed to be protected, we are witnessing an alarming and growing trend where the very essence of a person’s identity is questioned and, in many cases, violated. Faith communities, advocates, and allies must come together now more than ever to stand in solidarity with those whose rights are under attack, particularly the transgender community. However, it’s important to recognize that this fight goes beyond just trans rights—it’s a fight for the freedom of every individual to exist authentically, without fear of discrimination, humiliation, or harm.
The violation of rights is not always a dramatic headline moment—it can be subtle, insidious, and occur in places where we least expect it. Take, for example, the troubling incident this past weekend at a Kentucky Derby party in Boston, where two cisgender women were kicked out of the bathroom after one was asked to “prove” their sex. This isn’t just a story about a trans person being discriminated against—it is a glaring example of how rigid gender norms are now policing the bodies of everyone, regardless of whether they’re trans or cisgender. This is a trickle-down effect, where the erosion of rights for one group quickly begins to affect others. When we allow policies or societal norms to dictate who belongs where, based on a prescribed idea of gender, we risk marginalizing and harming people from all walks of life—cisgender, transgender, non-binary, and beyond.
The attack on transgender individuals’ rights is part of a larger trend where society demands conformity to a narrow definition of “normal.” Anyone who doesn’t fit into this box, or who defies rigid gender expectations, faces the consequences. It’s not just about trans people anymore; it’s about anyone whose identity, expression, or physical appearance doesn’t conform to the prescribed ideals. In this way, the harm begins to spread. We saw this at the Kentucky Derby party—cis women were forced to prove their sex because they didn’t fit the narrow expectations of gender presentation. They were not trans, but the consequence of this same regressive logic affects them too. If we allow society to impose these tests of legitimacy on one group, it becomes easier to justify them for others, and the circle of discrimination grows wider.
In this moment, we must ask ourselves: what is normal? Is it the narrow, prescriptive understanding of gender that we’re so often told to accept? Or is it something more expansive—something rooted in faith, compassion, and the belief that all people are created in the image of God and deserving of dignity and respect? When we talk about trans rights, we must recognize that this is not just a political issue; it is an issue of human rights and basic decency.
Faith communities, in particular, are called to lead with compassion and justice. The teachings of most religions—whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or other faith traditions—highlight the importance of loving our neighbors as ourselves, of standing with the marginalized, and of ensuring that the rights of all people are upheld. In this context, faith must be the guiding light that leads us to advocate for the rights of transgender people and all who are vulnerable to injustice.
When we allow rigid gender norms to dictate who is allowed to exist in public spaces, when we demand that people “prove” their identity, we undermine the very principles of justice and equality that our faiths and societies should stand for. Gender is not something to be policed or validated by others—it is deeply personal, a part of one’s being that should be respected and celebrated. No one should have to undergo a test of their humanity or identity to gain access to a basic human right, like using the restroom.
This issue is about more than just trans rights. It is about the recognition that all individuals, regardless of their gender, their appearance, or how they choose to express themselves, deserve to live without fear of discrimination. It is about standing up for a world where we are free to be our authentic selves, where no one is forced to conform to an outdated or harmful agenda of what is “normal.” This is about the dignity of all people.
We must continue to raise our voices against the harmful forces that seek to undermine the basic rights and humanity of transgender people, but also the rights of anyone who doesn’t conform to restrictive gender norms. True advocacy means ensuring that everyone—whether cisgender, transgender, or non-binary—has the right to exist freely, to express themselves, and to be treated with the inherent dignity that comes with being human.
In times like these, where rights are under attack and people are forced to justify their existence in ways that are deeply personal, we must remember that the fight for justice is not just for a marginalized group—it is for the soul of our society. And as people of faith and advocates for equity, we must all stand together in the fight for a more just and inclusive world.
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