As Pride Month unfolds against the backdrop of escalating anti-trans legislation and harmful rhetoric from political leaders, faith communities are uniquely positioned to embody radical love, justice and truth. Now more than ever, it is imperative that these communities listen to, learn from, and honor the lived experiences of trans individuals—especially those who have survived and thrived despite systems built to erase them.
Today’s Belief Behind the Book features “I Was an Abomination: A Story of Trans Survival in Conservative America” by Sheryl Weikal, a courageous memoir that not only bears witness to trans resilience, but invites faith communities to reckon with the harm they’ve caused—and begin the sacred work of healing and affirmation.
Belief Behind the Book is a feature that gives readers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the beliefs—or what I call “the WHY”—behind books written by progressive spiritual leaders. Inspired by the Ministry from the Margins Books program, “Belief Behind the Book” shines a spotlight on why authors write the books they write, offering practical tips for readers to apply to their own belief systems.
For years, public figures from J.K. Rowling to Elon Musk have argued there’s no such thing as a trans child, and that trans kids’ identities are always a result of adult influence. Sheryl Weikal is living proof that they’re wrong.
Despite being homeschooled by conservative parents, Sheryl knew she was a girl from early childhood, even making a doll of herself to show her parents at eight years old. In her memoir, Sheryl tells the story of growing up trans in a conservative homeschooling family, surviving conversion therapy, fighting the state for the right to be a lawyer, finally meeting the love of her life and realizing her dream of being the woman she really always was.
Weikal is an attorney, author and activist in Illinois. Her pay-whatever-you-can litigation practice focuses on landlord-tenant law, criminal defense, eviction defense and foreclosure defense. She brought the 2022 lawsuit that made it unlawful for Illinois attorneys and judges to discriminate on the basis of gender identity.
She was the first openly trans attorney to orally argue at the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Weikal has appeared on ESPN Radio, The Young Turks, Vox, and FanGraphs, among others.
When I asked Sheryl why she wrote this book, she responded:
“I wanted people to know that being trans as a child isn’t a bad outcome, isn’t the result of outside influences, and isn’t something to be afraid of. Trans children aren’t trans because someone made us that way. So many people see transness as a disappointing fate for their children. But having a trans child isn’t a curse. It’s a blessing!”
Continuing, I wondered about a practical takeaway for readers. Weikal said, “There’s so much noise in the media right now framing transness in children as a social contagion or the result of grooming or outside interference. My existence is proof that those myths are just that—myths. Listen to trans adults. We were trans kids and we’re what happens when you just let trans kids grow up.”
In a time when the very existence of trans people is being politicized and denied, Sheryl Weikal’s story offers something desperately needed: truth, clarity and hope. Her life is a testament to what becomes possible when trans children are loved, not erased.
For faith communities seeking to walk the path of justice during Pride Month—and every day—the call is clear: believe trans people, honor their sacred journeys and recognize that trans survival is not just a personal triumph, but a prophetic witness.
Let us follow Sheryl’s lead and create spaces where all God’s children are celebrated, not just tolerated.
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Award-winning author of ten books, including The Authorpreneur Handbook. Founder and CEO of Tehom Center Publishing, a nonprofit press publishing feminist and queer authors, with a commitment to elevate BIPOC writers. Rev. Dr. Yarber’s work has been featured in Forbes, HuffPo, NPR, The Advocate, Ms. Magazine, the television show Tiny House Nation, and more. She travels the world speaking, preaching, publishing, and writing, but she can always be found at www.tehomcenter.org
