<p>By <a href=https://www.dignityusa.org/content/authors-james-and-evelyn-whitehead>James and Evelyn Whitehead</a></p> <p>Time Magazine provided the official announcement: the cover story with a picture of Laverne Cox transgender member of the <em>Orange is the New Black</em> series declared: &ldquo;The Nation&rsquo;s Transition.&rdquo; (June 9 2014) In the previous months citizens of many vocations&mdash;scientists and novelists priests and professors&mdash;were coming out as trans- gender members of society. Old prejudices were dissolving; laws of non-discrimination were multiplying. Many Christian denominations United Methodists Church of Christ Lutherans among them were turning with a compassionate response to this long-neglected part of the body of Christ. Only the Catholic Church remained officially quiet a reputed &ldquo;secret document&rdquo; only deepening the silence. Under the radar more and more Catholic ministers&mdash;sisters counselors teachers chaplains&mdash;were speaking in healing tones about transgender persons bringing light to this margin of the community.</p> <p>It is in this context of rapid cultural change that DignityUSA is producing these essays on Christian spirituality and transgender lives. &nbsp;</p>