Sermon to be Delivered by Transgender Priest at Washington National Cathedral (Video)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Worthy News)– The Washington National Cathedral, an Episcopalian church, is hosting its first transgender priest celebrating “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender” Month, which President Obama issued by proclamation.
The Rev. Cameron Partridge, who completed his “transition” in 2001, is set the deliver the sermon on June 22. He currently is the Episcopal chaplain at Boston University, as well as a lecturer and counselor at the Harvard Divinity School.
“We at Washington National Cathedral are striving to send a message of love and affirmation, especially to LGBT youth who suffer daily because of their gender identity or sexual orientation,” stated Gary Hall, the chief ecclesiastical leader and executive officer of the National Cathedral. “We want to proclaim to them as proudly and unequivocally as we can: Your gender identity is good and your sexual orientation is good because that’s the way that God made you,” Hall added.
The first openly gay Episcopalian priest, Rev. Gene Robinson, will also be presiding over the same service, according to Hall.
In 2012, the general convention of the Episcopal church approved the ordination of transgender individuals, along with same-sex marriages.
The Cathedral participated in this year’s Capital pride events, and the service on June 22, would include readings by the local LGBT community members. The event will cap off its celebration of ‘Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender’ pride month which was proclaimed by President Obama.
NATIONAL CATHEDRAL’S RECENT HISTORY
On August 23, 2011, the National Cathedral was damaged when an earthquake struck the East Coast of the United States, causing significant damage. The total cost estimate to completely repair the Cathedral has risen to more than $20 million.
The National Cathedral rang its bells and issued a statement shortly after the Supreme Court ruled that parts of the Defense of Marriage Act were unconstitutional in June of 2013.
“We are ringing our bells at the Cathedral to celebrate the extension of federal marriage equality to all the same-sex couples modeling God’s love in lifelong covenants. Our prayers for continued happiness are with them and with all couples who will be joined in matrimony in the years to come, whether at Washington National Cathedral or elsewhere.”
Later in October of 2013, Gary Hall preached saying that homophobia and heterosexism was sin.
“We must now have the courage to take the final step and call homophobia and heterosexism what they are, they are sin,” stated Gary Hall from the National Cathedral pulpit.