House Bill 68 – Response from the Dean

As a Cathedral Church that passionately affirms the belovedness of every human being, that we are each created in the image of God, and that our dignity cannot be taken away from us, Trinity Cathedral is opposed to government action that would limit access of minors to gender-affirming care.

As a priest in the church and the parent of a non-binary child, I continue to be inspired and comforted by a Gospel that proclaims God’s love for each and every one of us. My own family’s journey with gender has been one of coming to see that the diversity of God’s creation is far wider than the binary spectrum that so many of us grew up with, and that forcing folk into categories into which they do not, and have never, fit, can be deeply harmful.

Government, like the church, should be committed to human flourishing and the affirmation of the dignity given to each of us by our creator. In today’s political environment, it takes courage to vote against one’s party. I commend Governor DeWine for doing so on this issue, yet we now know that it was insufficient against a supermajority committed to ending trans rights.

Like so many issues that are important to each of us, this should remind us of the importance of participating in the electoral process in this year and in all years. I oppose government overreach on gender care, but I also oppose supermajorities – of any party. I encourage you, in the coming months, to make plans to vote and to grow the health of our democracy, so that the elected representatives can better reflect the fullness of the people’s wishes, which is so often more nuanced, and ultimately more humane, than what fits into tweets and sound bites.

I know that this impacts some of you very personally. Please, know that you are in my prayers and that nothing can take away the truth that you are seen, known, and beloved by God for who you are and who you were created to be.

The Very Rev. Bernard J. Owens

Dean