On this Trans Day of Remembrance, as Bishops of the Diocese of Toronto, we wish to acknowledge the dignity and inherent worth of all people, including every transgender person, and our opposition to all prejudice, discrimination, or actions that deny the full personhood of any individual based on their gender identity.
Trans people are valued and beloved members of our Church, as clergy and lay leaders, as members of our congregations, as people we serve and by whom we are served. Sadly, trans people within and outside the Church face great stigmatization and frequent exclusion. Trans youth are at especially high risk of suicide, but studies have clearly demonstrated that support from family and close community, and an ability to live in the fullness of who they are, will reduce this risk to little more than that of the general population. Many trans people are also victims of violence, sometimes fatal violence, based on their gender identity and expression. There can be no room for this in our society.
We stand with the trans members of our Church, and with those outside our Church, and we continue to oppose stigma and hatred based on gender identity or gender expression.
The Most Rev. Colin R. Johnson, Bishop of Toronto
The Right Rev. Andrew Asbil, Bishop Coadjutor of Toronto
November 20, 2018
