In a deeply personal Sunday sermon, a New York pastor made an extraordinary announcement to her congregation, revealing she is transgender and will now use she/her pronouns.
A Joyful Announcement in Church
Reverend Phil Phaneuf, 51, shared her journey with the congregation at North Chili United Methodist Church (UMC), where she has preached since 2019. Wearing a rainbow stole, the veteran pastor declared, "I get to announce with joy that I am transitioning. I am affirming and saying to all of you that I am transgender."
She explained her perspective poignantly: "The best way to put this is that I'm not becoming a woman, I'm giving up pretending to be a man." Phaneuf, who will adopt the name Phillippa Faye Phaneuf, stated she will continue to be known as 'Reverend Phil' professionally and expressed a gracious approach to pronouns, saying she would not be "the pronoun police."
Personal Journey and Institutional Change
The pastor assured church members that her commitment to her faith and ministry remains unchanged. She disclosed she has been undergoing hormone replacement therapy for approximately three months, noting the primary changes will be physical.
Her announcement aligns with a significant shift within the global United Methodist Church. In May 2024, the church's General Conference, its highest legislative body, voted to remove bans on ordaining LGBTQ+ clergy and to allow same-sex marriages within the church. These changes took effect in January.
A crucial revision was made to the UMC's doctrinal guide, the Book of Discipline, removing language that deemed the "practice of homosexuality incompatible with Christian teaching." The church now describes human sexuality as a "sacred gift." This progressive move, however, led to the denomination losing over a million members.
Family Reactions and Church Support
While Phaneuf confirmed the UMC is "absolutely" supportive of her decision, she shared that her family's reaction has been difficult. "Are my parents okay with this? Absolutely not," she admitted. "They have chosen their convictions and their beliefs over supporting their child."
During her 12-minute sermon, Phaneuf also clarified that gender identity and sexual orientation are separate, coming out as asexual. She emphasised her focus remains on her ministry, not romance.
Looking forward, Phaneuf said North Chili UMC will provide educational resources about the LGBTQ+ community to its members, using Jeannie Gainsburg's book 'The Savvy Ally.' She believes her openness will make the church a more welcoming place for marginalised individuals. In a statement, she noted the congregation has been "very affirming" since her announcement.
