LDS Church Handbook Adds Restrictions on Transgender Members

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Facts

• In the August 2024 update of their General Handbook, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) has added new provisions that restrict the activities that transgender church members may take part in.^[1]
• The guidance says that those who undertake 'surgical, medical, or social transition' will be barred from participation in activities that include teaching, entering the priesthood, or working with children. The prohibition on baptism for individuals who have medically transitioned was also expanded.^[2]
• The General Handbook states that those who struggle with gender identity 'should be treated with sensitivity, kindness, compassion, and Christlike love' and that those who do not transition genders may still have full privileges as a member.^[3]
• Transgender individuals who seek medical intervention may also face an 'annotation' on their record, a status given to members with a history of misconduct. Transgender individuals may now only receive baptism with the permission of the church's 'First Presidency.'^[4]
• A statement from the church says that the new guidelines were needed to ensure 'consistency' in the implementation of policies that were previously left at the discretion of local leaders, and will help churches 'minister more effectively' to transgender individuals and their families.^[5]
• The Mormon church opposes same-sex marriage, but in 2019 removed language that deemed same-sex couples apostates from the faith. Individuals who have desisted their gender transition and are 'worthy and committed' may be baptized and confirmed under the new policy.^[6][1]

Sources: ^[1]CNN, ^[2]NBC, ^[3]churchofjesuschrist.org, ^[4]Axios, ^[5]Associated Press and ^[6]QSaltLake Magazine.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Advocate.com. There are wide swaths of LGBTQ+ Mormons who want nothing more than to be accepted into the fold of the church they hold so dear. By grouping trans people with child abusers and fraudsters in terms of how they are categorized by church bureaucracy, the church is taking a step backward and stigmatizing transgender members. These regressive policies spread false stereotypes regarding trans people and expose them to ostracism.
• Narrative B, as provided by Churchofjesuschrist. These updated guidelines should merely reaffirm the God-given, Biblical understanding of sex and gender that devoted Mormons are expected to uphold. The church is free to enforce this standard on members while recognizing the inherent humanity and worth of all people, regardless of gender identity. These standards now ensure that churches treat trans issues in a consistent, compassionate, and godly way.

Predictions