An Open Letter to the People of Texas
As United Methodists, we believe all persons are of sacred worth, and, therefore, worthy of dignity, freedom, and justice. We believe the rights and privileges a society grants to or withholds from its people definitively communicate to persons and groups of persons their value in that society. We, therefore, support social climates in which communities are maintained and strengthened for the sake of all persons and their growth and commit ourselves to work toward societies in which each person’s value is recognized, maintained, and strengthened. Such communities provide the potential for nurturing human beings into the fullness of their humanity. Our respect for the inherent dignity of all persons leads us to call for the recognition, protection, and implementation of the principles of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights so that communities and individuals may claim and enjoy their universal, indivisible, and inalienable rights. As such, we assert that:
All persons are of sacred worth, created in the image of God and equally valuable in the sight of God
Each individual deserves the opportunity and freedom to practice ethical self-determination
Our gender diversity is a gift from God, intended to add to the rich variety of human experience and perspective
Health is a condition of physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being
Healthcare is a basic human right to which all persons deserve equal access
The church has an obligation to see that all persons have access to needed medical care and therapy
The physician-patient relationship is a sacred trust and should not be compromised or interfered with
The consensus of the medical community, guided by established bioethical parameters, should be entrusted and empowered to determine what constitutes individualized best-practice, evidence-based care for patients who are guaranteed patient autonomy and informed consent.
Communities which ignore or subvert these values do so at their own peril, for where the dignity, value, and self-determination of one group of persons is subverted, that of any group can be challenged; as Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” Given the way in which discriminatory and oppressive policies have been used historically to seek the marginalization and eventual erasure of entire groups of persons, we believe the observance of International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, 2023, is all the more important to the wholeness and flourishing of our communities and to raise awareness of issues impacting transgender, gender non-conforming, gender expansive, and non-binary people, and to honor these communities for their resilience, activism, and countless contributions to society.
Faithfully in Christ,
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Rev Dr Geoffrey C Moore Rev Andrew Fiser Rev Dr Clayton Oliphint Rev Laura Echols-Richter Rev Ashley Anne Sipe Rev Marcus Womack Rev Rob Spencer Rev Dr Scot Bontrager Rev JD Allen Rev Dana G Norton Rev Pavielle Jenkins Rev Sarah Marsalis-Luginbill Heather Ducar Rev Allison Jean Rev Hilary Marchbanks Tina Simpson Winifred Council Rev Dr Chad Mustain Rev Rachel Griffin Barbara Reed Tom Ellis Kristen Dunn Charles M Wood Rev Roy Atwood Rev Patrick Hoffman Rev Marti Soper Rev Ann Willet Rev Valarie Englert Ashlea Helms Mattoon Brennan Morgan Hannah Fisher Rev Marianne Brown-Trigg Rev Holly G Bandel Daniel Madden Jack Payne Sandra J King Michael Zimmermann Cheryl Noble Dan Perkins Sara Cowley Krystal Stroud Jeff Browning Rev Macie Liptoi Sara Johnson Jennifer Fornero Rev Don Lee Nancy Fomby Rev Josh Esparza Jacquelyn Elbel Ellen Kitchell, MD Anna Beall Shana Harrison Jennifer Clifton Janet Ross Teddi L Fulenwider Andrea Salt Kristi Kirby Stephanie Bohan O Wesley Allen, Jr Dorian Albert Brenna Curry Dana Effler Kristi Hassell Alicia Norrigan Mark Chancey Becky Robinson Ann Black Janet Fisher Barbara Clay Henry Devenport Bea Rodriguez Patricia N Turner Kathleen Love Rev Denise Peckham Beth Montigue Kathryn Wise Elaine Wiant Erica Coppage Suzanne Thomas Dr Ron W Wilhelm Lori Oliphint Joshua Skoch Rev Kay Ash Lisa Clayton Catherine Dodge Tim Wallace Dan Rockwell Elizabeth Ken Kelley Jacquelyn Hatton Tiffany Valona Martha Moody Pamela Curry Shere Salinas Lisa Rodgers Helen Delahunty Crystal Orr B Tignor Cindy McSpadden Dyana Kossum James Leveille-Bonner Dorothy Philbrick James E Watts John Elfers James Wheeler Jacob Swindell Macarena Rodríguez Rick Englert S Lance Smith Diana Dubois Wendy Watts Theresa Hines Naomi Norton Natalie Vatcher Mary Ann Climer Mary Brooke Casad Phillip R Baxley Pamela Carr Terry Bolger Deacon Ian Sánchez Lori McKee Mary Beth Bass Paula Craig Karen Davis Rev Karan Marshall Richard Crownover Wendy Tomlinson Marty Jones Lacy Bond Wendy Tomlinson Joshua P Smith Jan K Knoll Marcie Salamone Sarah Hale Donna Montgomery Wiles Rev Julia Castleman Sharon Noyce Kristopher Quaale Rev Ginger Watson Christine Peirce Amy Reddoch Carol L Croy Amy Dillavou Doris Marshall Tim Gill Samantha Waters Ezra Medlock Nancy Fears Shandon Klein Tammie Haug Jill Louden Rev Chelsea Peddecord Rev Dr Abril Goforth Jocelyn Ashley Robert Emery Rev Daniel Hawkins Karen J Roe Mackenzie Johnson Madeline Harris Robyn Houston Phyllis Cummins Patti R Martin Leighton Weiss Rev Glenda Whitehead Daniel W Dick Andrew Bennett Katie Copeland Connie Allen Smades Casey Harrison Nancy Wilkins Debi Crawford Tori Cantu Jeannette Winkelmann Molly Cleary Paula Harrison Rev Paul Maletic Rev Meredith C Scruggs M Elizabeth Coomes Jean Baumann Mallory Pickering Laura Young Allison Monroe Tom Grems Rev Judith Baskin Rev Tom Stephenson Shelley Walters Lydia Chen Rev Tracey Beadle Laura Clemens Rev Victoria Reed Bailey Carol Brown Michaela Beadle Bart Patton Susan Cantrell Holloway Kendall Carroll Allison Trevino Mike Holloway Noah Gottas Tori Gilchrist Baeleigh Byrum John Gilchrist Carrie Lammers Beth Hayes Crystalyn Roberts Dan Descargar Rev Randall Lucas Janet Marsden Rev Matt Ybanez Barbara Castellano Amanda Morrissey Rev Pam White Sylvie Utley Rev Erin Sloan Jackson Rev Emily Chapman Rev Michael Gienger Loni Fancher Janet Allen Sydney Harkrider Rev Hannah R Terry Rev Kaiya Kershaw Terra Wortley Alicia Villarreal Retta A Miller Rev Meg Witmer-Faile Brendan Voss Melissa Sitton Hayley Wren-Mella Richard L Guldi Dr Thalia Shirley Dr Suzanne Newell Evve Kuykendall Chelbie Birdwell Gina Hedgecock Pogue Wendy Perry Sherri Davis Rev Michael W Flynn Rev Staci Orr Corey Wallis Aaron Manes Rev Mally Baum Norma Terrell Matt Morris Laura Sigman Rick Miller Rev Nick Scott Adam Richards Sharon M Watt Ron Mershawn Judy Nodecker Sarah Valentino Rev Kellie Sanford Kerry Salas Bob Kalka Dawn Anderson Calvin Dement Jane McKinney Elisa (Bitsy) Laney Bill Johnson Amy Gill Darcy Rohre Rev Donna McKee Georgianne Burlage Jorden Martz Rev Deborah J Clifford Dennie Treat Rev Aaron Logan Vonda Klimaszewski Michael Dancer Laurie Hanson Roberts Jennifer Grissom Smith Rev Elizabeth LaBella-Foster Michael Saville Nicole Rea |
Rev Scott Gilliland Rev Dr Gregory S Neal Rev Dr Tommy Brumett Rev Danielle Buwon Kim Rev Debbie Chapman Rev Katie Newsome Rev Jonathan Grace Rev Dr René P Lawson Rev Deana Lowe Rev Jennifer Chickering Jacob Fuller John Astle Mollie Gilmore Rivas Kim M Hines Shawn Ashmore Patricia Franzina Lynn Lloyd MIchael D Munden Rev Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch Rev John Thornburg Lee Barnhart Dale Wolfe Paula Humphreys Kristen Perkins Glover Donna Perkins Fe Tipay Rev Jennifer Kilpatrick Diane Mims Katie Clark Grace K Reeves Natalie Nenovich Christy Forkner Rev Dr Blair Thompson-White Valerie Orr Cynthia Rives Rev Laura Byrd Jordan Cramer Rev Stacey Piyakhun Rev Eliana Sillas-Rios Juan Rios Rev Taylor Smith Rev Pepa Paniagua Karen Joy Eaker Rev Jonathan Perry Baylee Davis Jessica Battcher Alan V Noel Eva Cherry Alan Kernell Susan Beall Samuel W Cullison MD Roger Stanley Lawanna Bean Mark E Vangeison Konner Kirkpatrick Kim m Hines Robyn Kirk Keli Ward Sherry Koeninger Jill Urban Jon S Morehouse Carrie Chavarria Chris Deeds Rev Patrick Littlefield Vickie Harris Mary Salter Marsha Fuchs Diane Dillard Rev Dr Natalya Cherry Linda Louden Rev Jessica Wright Pamela McGee Rogers Rev David Finley Katy Vandruff Cheryl Bishop Jen Hanson Cheryl A Engelmann Barbara Currier Brittany D Charlotte Doesey Brenda L Sabbagh Dr Jonathan Palant Erika Baxley Pelletier Beth Albright Stephen Toal Tom Perkins Katherine Chambers Kathleen V Scott, DO Aimee Reed Rev Beate Hall Darryl Leavitt II Robert Koop Christine A Bentley April Hull Susan M Baxley Scott Presnall Diane Merrell Eric Tuzin Grant Oliphint Chris Moore Andrea Gordon Taylor Tompkins Joan M Wu Kathy Rogers Kathy Jones Dan Togets Erin Oliphint Lisa Hancock Laurel Varney Beth Bradley Christopher Arnold Clifton Bohaker Deborah Austell Rev Dr Anna Hosemann-Butler Sarah Ann Hazlett Tichenor Robert Amponsah Martha Duke Brenda Cowley Chandler Grace Peltier Miranda Prater Samuel Titsworth Margaret Bryan Laura M Frasca Roy T Atwood Karen Crownover Rev Eva Englert-Jessen Charles Taylor Amy Atwood William Cleary Robert A Jette Connie Marshall Sharon E Bradley Karyl Patredis Jorja Sipe Larry McCain Susan Howard Michael J Schaefer Courtney Mitchell DeAnna Milligan Rev R Ben Marshall Matt Snider Kathy Coppage Rev Emma Williams Sally A Hoover Rev Alex Williams Rev Dr Dale R Tampke Kent H Roberts Wendy Campbell Lynnita Jessen Sandra Nash Dr Margo Dillard Carol Crowe Paula Maroney Jennifer C Wang Madelyn Mundell Patsy Roe Rev Keri Lynn Lucas Rev Milton Guttierrez Lauren Lucas Ammie Martinez Rob Patterson Christine Guldi Mars Smietana Rev Dr Jay Beavers Rev Don Hood Claire O'Neil Rev Jannette Miller Pat Louden Rev Dr Chris J Hayes Chad Watt Dr Kendra Weddle Kim Rodriguez Rebecca Cavner Beth Van Amburgh Tom Rubeck Shawna Lewis Rev Rosedanny Ortiz William B Alston Madison Boboltz Kelly Vernon-Hart Elizabeth Dubois Rev Nancy Mossman Michael Pickering Rev Ann Locasio Sue Schell Cathy Chen Rev Bill Taylor Linda Noblin Rev Kevin Young Rev Sarah Roberts Rev Cheryl Smith Jane Gaines Jenny Patton Laura Bray Hillarye Hightower Paul Harper Timothy Cash Jennifer L Keltner Jay Brim Brady McQueeney Susan McIntyre Stachia Brothers Amelia Harrell Holloway, PhD Sharon Rodine Lance Pyburn Rev Don Moore Tracy Curts Melissa Frank Stephen Frank BJ Sutton Rev Beth Evers Amanda Hebert Rev David McMinn Camille Khattar Hedrick Rev Ginny Griggs Lisa Gill Erin Chapman-Meyer Chelsea Baird Rachel O’Neil Pat Hatcher Kristen Tropeano Karen L Kendall Rev Bob Holloway Rev Tom Faile R Chan Lori Shufelt Beth Mundell Isaac Boyd Ruffner Laura Bierck Rain Dutoit Amit Banerjee Margaret Richter Karen Murphy Rev Michael House Rev David Carr Rev Kim Poer Kenneth Peters Tiffany Krieg Erin Christian Carissa Robinson Chris Venable Andrew Brown-Trigg TK Hill Rev Paul David McKay Rev Beth Stuyck Larry Tubbs, Jr Rev Charles A Neal Rev Eric McKinney Rev Dr Bill Boyd Judy Holloway Heather Rindfuss Jessica Short Dr Carol Sue Marshall Fannette Welton Debby Barkey Mary Len Stanton Thomas D Laney Rev Yvonne Coon Tiffany Hall Pamela F Shamblin Jennifer Euting Sandra Hitz Candace Wigant Carolyn Kitchens Liz Vickers Janet Larroca Jeri Chaney Rev Angela Williams Pamela Lawson Rev Jerrold West Beth Van Amburgh Carol John Tiffany Krieg |
Rev Heather Gottas Moore Rev Kerry Smith Rev Billy Echols-Richter Rev Carol Montgomery Rev Kay Eck Rev Dr Stan Copeland Rev Chris Yost Rev Joshua E Manning Rev Dr Tom Waitschies Rev Maggie Proshek Rev Eric Folkerth Rev Scott Luginbill Amy Martindale Rev Rebecca David Hensley Rev Michael James Baughman Rev Pat Beghtel Mahle Rev John D Gondol Rev Mitchell Boone Rev Joe Stobaugh Erin Dickson Cynthia B Astle Rev Audrua Welch Malvaez Rev Jane Graner Molly McGuire Kay Evans Schecht Andrew L Norton Devlon Goodman Tom council Rev Anna Bundy Hagler Jack Stanley Fennig Cindy Wolfe Rev David Magallanes Martha Bowers Pres Ida Pimentel Sarah Schneider Meredith Floyd Frances Tubb Jenny Bates Julia Puac-Romero Holly J Holloway Rev Marc Corazao Megan Ellis Sondra Johnson Amber Baker Madelon Carroll Thomas Fomby Rev Cathy Sweeney Rev Abbey Echols Alice Montgomery Rev Dr Diana Brown Holbert Rev Dr John C Holbert Colin Curry Lenni Jo Henderson Jeanie Daniel Martin Keith Fulenwider Heather Bowling Rosemary Curts Rick Ware Yvonne Johnson Olivia Wilmsen Rev Joseph Stabile Rev Dr Gary Fox Sonny Birdwell Brandon Williamscraig Shannon Rennwanz Donna C Jean Leah Bailey Andrea Loubier Rev Rodney Whitfield Laura Muller Margo Moore Sherry Houpt Clyde A Thompson Suzanne Harrison LauraMay Sorkin George Brenda Smith Linda Strem Stan Broome Kat Schwaberow Cindy Counts Angela Maverick Mark Varnado Margaret M Moore Carmen Vicki Wiechern Shawn Schmitz Barry Nash Ava Wallace-McCollom Dr Andrew McGregor Stella Hicks George E Harris Jonathan Crouch Kathy Harris Ellen Key Rosanne Gordon Margaret Nicholson Taryn Climer Katherine Anderson Edward Leveille-Bonner Angel Kossum Zane Cawthon Richard Andrew Shehulski Michelle Wood Cathy Wheeler David Noblin Grace Moore Matthew Crotty Bob Heard Joanna M Shields Ryan Wager Jennifer Mertz Kade Rogers Hayes Austell Leslie Russell Kraig Bowers Christine Holley Katie Wicks Alexander Clark Judson Watkins Robert A Rodgers Trent Juarez, MTS Samantha J Braddock Bronwyn Wilmoth Robyn Reno Jerry Reno Colleen Kelley Jayda Brown Jake Harris Mary Deborah Schaefer David Elliott Niki Peters Lindsay Beeker Allison McCarthy Theresa McDonald Lori Louden Davis Eli Greene Rev Dr Jeff Smith Elizabeth Dickson Liam Walther Lynsey Skoch Chad Seagle Sheri Adams Daniel Hoag Peter D Dickson Deborah M Hoff Josh Medlock Karen Anderson-Lain Rev Jacob Fields Rohini Drake Tanner Rottman Paul Burnett Glen Suhren Erin Barrios Stacy Schilling Hawana Townsley Susan Case Samantha Green Chellie Adams Bob Houston Cori Cossaboom Bell Ron Marshall Cheryl Winnenberg Rev Kaitlynn Shannon Robert Sheaks Ryan Ortiz Rev Johnny Brower Keegan Williams Callie Deckard Rev Molly Hayes Kim O'Neil Ashley Henry Cauley Shane Klein Sara Larkin Sam W Folsom, Jr George Betz Renee F Sims Kirk Seace Larry Chasteen Caleb Bennetch Rev Barbara Dunlap Terry Lowery Gayle Griffing Browning Rev Dr Keith A Jenkins Rev Richard Bates Michael S Coughlan Lin Chen Anna Fleming Rev Teresa G Welborn Kyle ONeil Sarah Zaluski Linda Easton Amy Gilchrist Angie Christoffersen Kim Carroll June Hairston Clare Harper Cheryl Brown Kelly Carpenter Daphne Keltner Caroline Stone Rev Joy Dister-Dominguez Bethany Wright Victoria Oliphint Lisa Smant N Climer Elizabeth Watson Wynn Moore Rev Jason Valendy Al Ayars Amy Diane Powell Karen Smith Rev Kristin N Warthen Rev Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe Rev Kate Walker Caitlin Snoddy Russell Roe Ben Allen Dr Kate Cillessen Chad Morrissey Rev Katie Eichler Alex Balch Sarahbeth Holmam Anice Greiner Rev Jarrod Johnston Travis Sitton Abbie Arellano Jonathan Mundell Trevor Mundell E Beard Trey Spalding Alexandria Ho Becky Ayars Leonard Murphy Kathy Perry Min Christian S Watkins Hannah Cauley Sammantha Bennett Hyung Kim Jennifer Baumgardner Martha Lammers Brandi Manes Lex Vriend Flip Miller Christy Stone Rev Phil Dieke Laura Cole Janice G Neal Nova✨ Martin Thane R Arther Susanna Hooper Carl W Rohlfs Susan Cox Sam Rindfuss Jean Robinson Joyce J Weaver Georgianne Hewett Patti Glanzer Nancy Visser David K Johnson Erin McKinney Rev Alexandra Robinson Rev Kathy McLean-Davis Rev Gene Isaac Ott Linda Keen Catherine Credeur Marilyn Simms Lisa M Williamscraig Rev Christopher Vaughan Shae Rodriguez Peggy van Wunnik Heidi Martens Lynne Stokes |