Our Lives Are Sacred
Our grief is holy. Our rage is divine. Our love is enduring. Our lives are sacred.
This week we learned that Nex Benedict, a non-binary child in Oklahoma, died after a violent attack by fellow students at their school. While the details are still emerging, one thing is extraordinarily clear - hateful policy and hateful theology are deadly. The ongoing dehumanization of trans and non-binary people by elected officials and hate groups fuels inhumane actions.
Our grief is holy. Our rage is divine. Our love is enduring. Our lives are sacred.
Nex should be alive today. As we look at Nex’s photos, learn about their dreams, read about their love of Minecraft and nature - we bear witness to a beautiful soul who had every right to flourish and thrive. We also bear witness to a collective loss of humanity as a new generation is enlisted to carry forth this legacy of violence.
Our grief is holy. Our rage is divine. Our love is enduring. Our lives are sacred.
When we face the ultimate cruelty that systemic oppression visits upon our communities, any number of responses emerge. Whether you need to remain still or stirring in your grief, wild or weary in your rage, frozen or frenetic in your fear, resilient or resistant in your love - we encourage you to care for your sacred body and life in whatever way your spirit demands.
Let your grief be holy. Let your rage be divine. Let our enduring love move us to build a world where trans and non-binary lives are honored as sacred.
UPLIFT Ministries Pop-up Pastoral Space & Vigil
Friday, February 23, at 8pm ET/7pm CT/6pm MT/5pm PT
Join UPLIFT Ministries on Friday, February 23, at 8 ET/7 CT/6 MT/5 PT to be in community and hold ourselves and each other in the feelings and needs we’re experiencing right now. All are welcome–this is a space that is open to everyone–cis, trans, metagender, questioning, and more! During the vigil, we will spend time all together, as well as move into breakout groups for:
Children and youth (focused on trans/nonbinary+ youth, but open to people of any identity)
Trans/nonbinary+ adults (closed to this identity)
Trans families, caregivers of trans/nonbinary+ children/youth, and other close loved ones of a trans person/people (this space may have people with cis, trans, or other identities)
General breakout focused on cisgender experiences (though someone of any identity may join)
This space will be facilitated by Jess Hunt and Rev. Steven Leigh Williams, and will have chaplains available. Register here
Crisis Support and UU Trans/Nonbinary+ Resources
This is a collection of resources, both within and outside the UUA, geared towards trans/nonbinary+ people and our supporters. Resources for mental health crisis appear at the bottom.
Speak Up for Trans Lives: Spokesperson Training (Recording & Resources)
Hosted in March 2022, this training featured Sam Ames, Director of Advocacy & Government Affairs for The Trevor Project as well as Side With Love staff Rev. Ashley Horan, Rev. Ranwa Hammamy, and Adrian Ballou.
Combatting Anti-Trans Legislation 101 Training (Recording & Resources)
Held March 15, 2022, this training featured Sam Ames, Director of Advocacy & Government Affairs for The Trevor Project; Rev. Erin Walter from Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry; and Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson from UU Justice Ministry on North Carolina, in addition to Side With Love staff Rev. Ashley Horan, Rev. Michael Crumpler, Rev. Ranwa Hammamy, and Adrian Ballou.
The Body Politic: Faithful UUs Showing Up for Trans Justice (Recording & Resources)
UUs have long been part leaders in powerful multifaith movements fighting for trans and queer rights and liberation. Join UPLIFT Action and Side With Love staff for this webinar, lifting up the faithful work UUs are engaging in right now in the context of the wave of hateful legislation and violence against trans and queer people. We'll hear stories from congregations and State Action Networks on the ground, and point toward ways you and your community can take meaningful action.