Published: March 26, 2026
MONROVIA — The United Methodist Church has issued a strong endorsement of LGBTQ+ rights, declaring its “unequivocal” support for gender inclusivity and the protection of transgender and nonbinary people, even as discrimination and legislative restrictions continue to rise in the United States.
In a statement published by its General Board of Church and Society, the denomination affirmed that all people are entitled to “basic human rights and civil liberties,” citing its 2020–2024 Book of Discipline. The church said it remains committed to upholding these rights “regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” framing the issue as both a moral and theological imperative.
The declaration comes at a time of growing concern over the treatment of transgender Americans. Research from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law estimates that about 2.8 million people in the United States, ages 13 and older, identify as transgender. The institute has also documented widespread discrimination affecting health outcomes, economic stability and overall well-being.
Church leaders warned that transgender individuals face escalating threats, including violence, harassment and systemic exclusion. Transgender youth, in particular, often encounter bullying, school violence and family rejection, while also being disproportionately represented in foster care systems. Adults, the church noted, routinely face sexual violence, police abuse, public ridicule and workplace discrimination.
The United Methodist Church linked these realities to broader policy shifts, pointing to what it described as a rollback of federal protections and a growing patchwork of state-level laws restricting gender-affirming care, access to public facilities and the use of pronouns in schools. According to the Williams Institute, at least 29 U.S. states have enacted policies limiting rights for transgender people.
Framing the issue in religious terms, the church emphasized that “every act of injustice defaces the image of God,” urging institutions across society, including governments, businesses, and faith communities, to actively combat discrimination and promote equality.
The denomination called on its congregations to create inclusive spaces where gender-diverse individuals can be “fully known, fully welcomed and fully loved,” while encouraging opposition to laws that restrict healthcare access or enable discriminatory practices.
The statement also highlighted renewed legislative efforts in Washington, where lawmakers have reintroduced a proposed Transgender Bill of Rights. The measure seeks to codify protections for transgender and nonbinary individuals, including access to healthcare, housing, safety and economic opportunity.
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