Lutheran Church in the United States elects its first transgender bishop: “Transsexuals are beautiful girls to God” | Scientist

“Lutherans have declared once again that transgender people are beautiful girls to God,” Rohrer said in a statement after the election.

The 41-year-old Rohrer actually made history in 2006 when the first transgender Lutheran pastor was ordained in the United States. He also served as a chaplain in the San Francisco Police Department. He was known for his activism with street dwellers, and gained fame when he appeared in the TV series Queer Eye.

On social media, Rohrer said his election to head a high position in the American Lutheran Church is inspiring. “If my election confuses you, maybe this confusion inspires you to notice all the other wonderful things God did that you may have missed,” he said.

He added, “God’s call extends to more people than you expect, in more places than you expect, and in many cases more than you expect.”

The Sierra Pacific Synod – the episcopal region that includes Northern California and Northern Nevada – has more than 180 congregations with 36,000 members. Around 13,000 of these people attend services every Sunday.

Rohrer, who will lead this synod for the next six years, received 209 votes to 207 from Reverend Jeff R. Johnson, pastor of the University of California.

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