Addressing Ignorance: Embracing Gender Diversity and Understanding Trauma Effects
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| 🏳️🌈 Love Prevails 🏳️🌈 |
Following a minor incident at our church this morning where an anti-LGBT+ sticker was discovered on the entry door, it is clear that there is a significant need to cultivate a more inclusive and compassionate community on the Gold Coast. It appears that ignorance is the true challenge we must address in this effort.
As we grapple with this issue it's crucial to remember that MCC has always stood for love, acceptance, and understanding. We must continue to uphold these values, and to do that effectively, we need to educate ourselves and others about important topics such as gender development, trauma, and spiritual growth.
Dr. Emily R. Burdett, an Assistant Professor at the University of Nottingham and one of my esteemed lecturers at Oxford, has provided valuable resources that can guide us on this journey of enlightenment.
Gender Development:
Understanding gender development is essential to embracing gender diversity. The articles shared by Dr. Burdett shed light on the complex processes involved in how children develop their gender identities. They encourage us to move away from stereotypes and toward a more inclusive understanding of gender.
Four articles on gender development:
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1909367116
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332087291_Predicting_Early-Childhood_Gender_Transitions (This one you can request a copy from the authors)
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0224321
https://srcd.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cdev.12758
And two articles on resources and general information:
https://theconversation.com/when-do-children-develop-their-gender-identity-56480
Trauma Awareness:
Trauma can have profound and lasting effects on individuals. It's crucial for us to comprehend the impact of trauma and to support those who have experienced it. The resources provided offer insights into trauma's effects on children and adults, along with guidance on how caregivers and families can help with healing.
https://beaconhouse.org.uk/resources/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYBUY1kZpf8&ab_channel=AnnaFreud
https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/responding/trauma/caregivers/
https://www.betterup.com/blog/childhood-trauma
https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/mindful-anger/201804/9-steps-healing-childhood-trauma-adult
As we engage with these resources, let us also remember that knowledge is a powerful tool against ignorance. By educating ourselves and others, we can foster a more accepting and compassionate community, ensuring that incidents like the one this morning become increasingly rare.
Ignorance may be our adversary, but education and understanding are our weapons against it. Let us use these tools to create a church that truly embodies love, acceptance, and inclusivity.
As we navigate challenging moments like at our church this morning, let us channel Jesus' teachings and work towards transforming our community into a place of love and acceptance. Through education and empathy, we can overcome ignorance and live out the core values of our faith, making our church a true beacon of love.
Pastor Shane St Reynolds
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