For Release August 31, 2009

 

August 31, 2009

 

Transgender Pastor Shares Story with Congregation

 

(Portland, Ore.) On Sunday August 30, 2009 the Reverend David Weekley shared with his church congregation the story of being a transgender man. Weekly underwent the process of transition in his early twenties before entering the ministry. He is now pastor of the 221 member Epworth United Methodist Church, in Portland, Oregon.

 

Rev. Weekley is completing a book about his life journey and his relationship to The United Methodist Church. When asked why he chose this time to share the story he said, “In part it is for personal wholeness, because there is stress in living in isolation. But I also want people to understand my life experience and where our culture is in terms of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgendered inclusiveness. Our denomination is exploring this issue, and I hope my experience can help the move towards full inclusion.”

 

Another reason that Weekley has chosen this time to share with the congregation is that he has been nominated as a finalist for an award by the Reconciling Ministry Network (RMN) for its Voice in the Wilderness award. The award recognizes “…taking risks, despite isolation in a wilderness, to proclaim the rightness of inclusion for all people in the church….”

 

RMN advocates for full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in The United Methodist Church. Until now Weekley has written a blog on the RMN website under the byline of “Transgender Clergy Person” and has not yet been identified by name in the nomination for the award. RMN will announce the award winner at its annual convocation on Labor Day weekend and Weekley wanted to have a conversation with his church family before the event. After sharing with his congregation he will blog under his own name.

 

Weekley grew up in the Cleveland, Ohio area and always felt different and didn’t see himself as a girl. At first he thought he would have to go to Sweden to change his gender, but in his early twenties he learned of a program at the Cleveland Clinic for gender change therapy and surgery. The process took several years and was completed in 1975.

 

Weekley’s ordination process began in the West Ohio Annual (regional) Conference of The United Methodist Church. He transferred to the Oregon-Idaho Annual (regional) Conference and was ordained as an Elder in 1984. He is supported in his journey by his wife Deborah, and family. Both are in there second marriage with two children each from previous marriages, a foster child, and six grandchildren.

 

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