The Vatican has issued an official statement, which says the sexual “complementary” of men and women is to produce children.
But the church has overlooked the fact that sex and gender are two entirely different things in this statement.
While gender does not have a base in science, a person’s sex is based on their biological characters like chromosomes and internal and external sex organs.
Titled Male and Female He Created Them, was written to help Catholic teachers, parents, students and the clergy in addressing the “educational crisis” in regards to sex education according to the Vatican’s Congregation for Catholic Education.
But LGBTQ+ Catholics have been quick to say the statement only contributes towards the bigotry and violence against gay and transgender people.
It does not only perpetuate the discrimination but also stirs up conflict for those people who consider themselves to be both transgender and Catholic.
A trans youth worker for the Proud Trust in Manchester, Sam Cresswell, shared with UNILAD:
“I think it’s very painful for LGBT young people to read these sorts of comments, particularly transgender young people and those who might consider themselves as being Catholic, or even Christian in some degree.
“It can cause a lot of pain and also it can also give this representation that it must be the opinion of all Catholics which can cause young LGBT people to feel like they won’t be accepted, therefore they can then carry the prejudice that people of faith are transphobic, and of course if they’re Catholic themselves then it can cause a big conflict in their identity.”
“Breaking: Vatican document takes aim at “gender theory.” It rightly calls for “dialogue” and “listening,” but sets aside the real-life experiences of LGBT people. Sadly, it will be used as a cudgel against transgender people, and an excuse to argue that they shouldn’t even exist.”
“The document is mainly a dialogue with philosophers and theologians, and with other church documents; but not with scientists and biologists, not with psychologists, and certainly not with LGBT people, whose experiences are given little if any weight.”
Proud Trust in turn has put together a resource for anyone in conflict with their religion and sexual orientation or identity here.