Missouri Christian Trans Rights Activist Earns Global Campaign Coverage

A contradiction with politically-charged local ideas about Christianity had garnered international attention for a Missouri politico. 

In most instances the world wouldn't care about a small town politico. 

However . . . The debate over faith-based rhetoric now has sparked a media firestorm.

Here are the basics . . .

The Rev Susan Shumway is something of an anomaly in this deep red state: a clergy member advocating for LGBTQ+ equality.

Missouri in recent years has been at the center of a national push to limit the rights of trans and queer people. State officials have pushed to outlaw healthcare for trans youth, block trans kids from sports, restrict trans people’s bathroom access and censor LGBTQ+ content.

As in other parts of the country, those efforts have found the support of Christian nationalist groups, and Missouri officials have explicitly pointed at their faith while enacting trans restrictive policies. Mike Moon, the state’s senator and author of its trans youth healthcare ban, has referenced God and the Bible to support his bill (and defend child marriage). The Missouri attorney general, Andrew Bailey, as well as the Missouri US senator Josh Hawley, who embraces the idea of America as a “Christian nation”, have promoted the anti-trans talking point that God “doesn’t make mistakes”, falsely suggesting children cannot be trans.

Shumway has a very different view. “I’m a Christian who believes in trans rights. And I’m going to be loud and make sure legislators hear from Christians who are not spewing hate,” she said.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

'I'm a Christian for trans rights': pro-LGBTQ+ Missouri pastor runs for office

As she campaigns in a deep red state, Rev Susan Shumway says its her job to 'kick open the doors' for queer youth