Iowa: Church Split Over Transgender Couple
Thursday April 28, 2005
In Charles City, Iowa, a couple married for 40 years has been asked to leave. The reason? Renee Usher used to be Michael Ussher before having a sex change 10 years ago. The church council made the decision to kick the couple out, but that has led to strife because not everyone agrees - not even the pastor.
KCCI 8 reports:
Rev. Allan Simms, of the Messiah Lutheran Church, delivered the news to Renee and Mayetta Usher [that] he doesn't agree with the council decision. ... Some church members say they're concerned with the council's action. Dean Andrews, the choir director, said "you can't kick somebody out of church because of someone's lifestyle.''
Actually, churches do kick people out because of their lifestyle, but if that were all that was going on here it wouldn't be so bizarre. The couple is legally married and have been for longer than many conservative Christians I could name. Is the church really going to argue that they get divorced now that the husband has had a sex change? What kind of "family values" is that?
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As the sun of the earth must rise
To give sustaining warmth, light and life
The son of man must rise
For he has a purpose too
To rise up and bring forth life
With all that God has given him
To honor and protect
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