Today, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) will begin hearing testimony in two court cases pertaining to one of the most heated topics across mainstream media: transgender athletes participating in sports aligning with their gender identity. Regardless of anyone’s connection to sports, these conversations will continue to have a significant impact on the trans community at large.
We’ve seen that impact already, expressed most clearly by those without a stake in athletics using the issue as a reason to spread harmful transphobic ideology, from the pulpit to the congressional floor. As West Virginia v B.P.J. and Little v Hecox garners more public attention, transphobia will only continue to spread.
While it may not seem like an explicitly faith-based story, transphobic ideology stems from transphobic theology. Transphobia in any form is inherently a spiritual, biblical and theological problem.
Transphobia will inevitably be heightened as these cases are discussed in the public square. As that occurs, we have a spiritual responsibility to discuss these matters and challenge people to move towards a theology and practice that aligns with the loving justice of Christ.
For these reasons, the Faithful Pride Initiative (FPI) is excited to partner with Christian Athlete Circles (CAC) in the coming months to follow these cases and provide helpful commentary and resources for the Good Faith Media community. We won’t be focusing on the legal details of the cases, but rather on the theological and athletic aspects.
As someone who is not deeply engaged in the world of sports myself, I am grateful for the invaluable perspective CAC will bring to this collaboration.
CAC was founded in 2021 out of the need Kelsey Davis and Georgia McKee saw for a faith-based athletic ministry that values the whole athlete, including who they are off the field. Their mission is to “[equip] athletes and coaches to live into the fullness of who God created them to be. We are a movement within the athletic community seeking wholeness and flourishing for all people.”
As a LGBTQ+ affirming faith-based athletic group, they are perfectly situated to engage in these conversations.
Between now and the court decision this summer, FPI and CAC will share myth-busting content, tools, and even an educational opportunity for both the GFM and CAC communities to learn more about the conversation and how to support the trans athletes in their lives. Our goal is to provide level-headed, proactive commentary and resources so that we can engage in public conversation from a place that’s well-informed of the nuances of the topic and affirming of our trans siblings.
Make sure to follow and like Good Faith Media and Christian Athlete Circles on all their social media platforms so you don’t miss the content from this exciting collaboration.
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A bivocational pastor, writer and spiritual director based in Williamsburg, Virginia, she currently works as a Spiritual Director at Reclamation Theology. Cawthon-Freels is the author of Reclamation: A Queer Pastor’s Guide to Finding Spiritual Growth in the Passages Used to Harm Us (Nurturing Faith Books), and a contributing correspondent at Good Faith Media.
