<p><span style=line-height:1.6em>By Jim &amp; Evelyn Whitehead</span></p> <p><em>Editors note: Part I was published in the </em><a href=https://www.dignityusa.org/sites/default/files/pdf/qv/3Qtr2014Trans.pdf>3rd Quarter 2014</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;DignityUSAs first trans-themed issue was published in the <a href=https://www.dignityusa.org/sites/default/files/pdf/qv/DUSA%20QV%202nd%20Qtr%202009.pdf>2nd Quarter 2009 </a>.</p> <p>In 2013 the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW) issued a consultation draft directive to Catholic institutions on how to respond to the UKs 201 Equality Act which added many strong protections to minority categories including sexual orientation and gender identity. The directive is intended to give advice to Catholic organizations about how they can comply with the law. In the section on Gender Re-Assignment they state:</p> <blockquote> <p>Transsexual people face many difficulties before during and after transitioning to another gender. As such it is recommended to seek guidance on how to make the transitional process as easy as possible. This could include training for co-workers as well as reference to medical and social advice. [p.21]</p> </blockquote> <p>This statement at once legal and compassionate marks a new stage in the Catholic Churchs public response to transgender lives.&nbsp; For the full text see https://www.spuc.org.uk/documents/cbcew_equality_law_may_2014_draft.</p> <p>This issue of the Quarterly Voice presents three reflections each by a person intimately engaged with the transgender community.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Hilary Howes the author of&nbsp;<em>To Be or Not to Be: A Catholic Transsexual Speaks</em> served on the strategy group that formed <em>Equally Blessed</em>. Her&nbsp; marriage survived her transition in 1995 and in 2003 she was baptized into the faith. Since then her call has led her to serve on the Dignity Transgender Caucus Transfaith/IWG Communications Committee Gender Rights Maryland Board Call To Action/Maryland Chapter Board and the Pacific School of Religions Trans-Roundtable.</p> <p>Sister Monica (a pseudonym) has been a Catholic sister for 53 years and has been ministering among the transgender community since 1999. She is a spiritual companion mediator with families and ally in helping to bring transgender people into the light. She discusses her ministry in more detail in the monograph God's Hidden People. See the link that follows her essay.&nbsp;</p> <p>Mateo Williamson is a microbiologist from Arizona who identifies as an openly Catholic transgender male. This year he has been working at a shelter for homeless youth in New Jersey. He dialogues with clergy and members of the Catholic hierarchy to advocate for the safety and respect of LGBT people in Catholic spaces. He has received support from the Davis-Putter Foundation and an award from the National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists for his efforts to create awareness about spiritual abuse.</p>