A New York pastor surprised churchgoers with the revelation that he is transitioning into a woman and will now use she/her pronouns.
Phil Phaneuf, a 51 year old man, told his congregation at North Chili United Methodist Church (UMC) during Sun-day service that he has been undergoing a gender transition.
'I get to announce with joy that I am transitioning. I am affirming and saying to all of you that I am transgender,' the veteran pastor, wearing a rainbow stole, declared this past Sun-day.
Phaneuf, who told listeners that his new name will be Phillippa Faye Phaneuf, said he will continue to go by 'Reverend Phil.'
'I'm not going to be the pronoun police,' he told the crowd. 'I don't think that anybody will misgender or mis-pronoun out of malice.'
Uhh, Phil. If we refer to you as a man in this article, we aren’t misgendering you. You misgendered yourself, and we refuse to play along.
We also hate to tell you that west coast Adventists already beat you to it. If you would like a transition ceremony, you may contact this woman. She could help with that.
The religious leader assured church members that the only changes stemming from his transition will be physical ones, noting that he has been undergoing hormone replacement therapy for about three months already.
He said that his commitment to Jesus Christ and the ministry will remain the same.
****
“Thou shalt not bear false witness.”