A Methodist pastor in New York made a surprise announcement last week that he is transitioning to female and that he identifies as asexual. Rev. Phillip Phaneuf, who leads the United Methodist congregation in North Chili, Rochester, shared the news during a Sunday service on Nov. 23. He spoke from the pulpit while wearing a rainbow stole and said, “So I get to announce with joy that I’m transitioning. I’m affirming to all of you that I am transgender. The best way to put this is that I’m not becoming a woman, I’m giving up pretending to be a man. This is a process, and it may be shocking for some as to what this all means.”
Phaneuf explained that he now sees himself as asexual, meaning he experiences little or no sexual attraction toward others. He added, “I’m in the category of what they call asexual. I’ve been that way since we’ve all been together, in that I am not living my life in a way that involves looking for romance.” He confirmed that his name will change to Phillippa and he prefers the pronouns she/her.
He has already started hormone replacement therapy three months ago and expects to notice changes in his appearance, voice and hair. In a separate interview with Fox News Digital, Phaneuf said he had told the congregation about the details of his transition and that the community had responded with overwhelming support. “Since coming out to my congregation, they have been overwhelmingly affirming!” he said.
The pastor also clarified that the bishop, the church’s leadership, and its theological stance all back his decision. He had consulted the bishop before making the announcement and reassured that his pastoral duties would continue unchanged. “What will stay the same is my deepening love for all of you,” he added.
However, Phaneuf noted that his parents do not endorse his choice. “They asked me to tell you all that they do not support me,” he announced during the sermon. “They asked me to tell you this.”
The United Methodist Church, which last year revised its policies that previously denounced LGBTQ+ identities, now affirms all human sexuality as a “sacred gift,” stating that this includes every person regardless of orientation or gender identity. The church’s website affirms its commitment to “befriending and caring for all persons, including LGBTQ persons in our churches and communities.”
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