LDS Church updates policies on transgender individuals, garment wearing and more

A slate of updates to the handbook used by lay leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints features new guidance on the participation of transgender individuals, including instructions around restroom use and overnight activities.

The changes, released Monday, reaffirm the global faith’s stance that gender, which it defines as biological sex at birth, is “an essential characteristic in Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness” and that leaders should discourage individuals from transitioning in any form.

At the same time, the latest edition of the online “General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” reiterates that the faith “does not take a position on the causes of” individuals feeling as though their biological sex does not match their gender identity.

What that means for the day-to-day involvement of transgender Latter-day Saints has depended in many instances on the leanings of bishops (lay leaders of congregations) and stake presidents (lay regional leaders). The handbook update clears up some — albeit not all — of this gray area through the following clarifications:

• Individuals are instructed to attend gender-specific meetings and activities that align with their biological sex at birth. Any “rare” exceptions must be approved by the Area Presidency.

• When it comes to gender-specific overnight activities such as youth camps, individuals can attend only those that align with their biological sex at birth.

• In the case of other overnight activities, such as For the Strength of Youth and other youth conferences, those who have transitioned in any way will be released at the end of the day to a guardian responsible for arranging accommodations.

• Individuals who have transitioned in any way — whether surgically, medically or socially — cannot work with children, serve as teachers in their congregation or fill any gender-specific assignments, such as president of the women’s Relief Society. Instead, “they may receive other callings or assignments that provide opportunities to progress and serve others.” The church defines social transitioning as “intentionally identifying and presenting oneself as other than one’s biological sex at birth, and may include changing dress, grooming, names or pronouns.”

• These same church members should use a single-occupancy restroom when available. If unavailable, they can counsel with leaders to find an alternative solution. Examples suggested include people using the restroom that aligns with their biological sex assigned at birth or one that corresponds to the individual’s “feeling of their inner sense of gender, with a trusted person ensuring that others are not using the restroom at the same time.”

Additional language was further added to guidance around the use of preferred names and pronouns, explaining that “local leaders should not determine or prescribe how members address an individual.” Instead, that matter should be left to “individuals and their family, friends and church members.” As before, a preferred name may be noted in the person’s membership record.

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LDS Church updates policies on transgender individuals, garment wearing and more

LDS Church updates policies on transgender individuals, garment wearing and more

LDS Church updates policies on transgender individuals, garment wearing and more

LDS Church updates policies on transgender individuals, garment wearing and more

LDS Church updates policies on transgender individuals, garment wearing and more