In these days of frightening uncertainty, it is good to have things to celebrate. A whole afternoon of celebration is an even better prospect.
The Church and Society Committee of the United Methodist Church of Red Bank recently provided such an opportunity. Their social hall was filled with activities, celebration, and support at their Amplify: Celebrating Young Trans Voices event. It was presented in partnership with Make It Better for Youth, TRANSpirational, the Middletown Reformed Church, St. George’s By the River, St. John’s Episcopal, St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, the Community Church of Keyport, Project Write Now, and the Holmdel United Church of Christ.
The event was part of the Transgender Day of Visibility. GLAAD said, “Each year on March 31, the world observes Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) to raise awareness about transgender people. It is a day to celebrate the lives and contributions of trans people, while also drawing attention to the disproportionate levels of poverty, discrimination, and violence the community faces compared to cisgender (non-transgender) people.
International TDOV was created in 2010 by trans advocate Rachel Crandall. Crandall, the head of Transgender Michigan, created TDOV in response to the overwhelming majority of media stories about transgender people being focused on violence. She hoped to create a day where people could celebrate the lives of transgender people, while simultaneously acknowledging that due to discrimination, not every trans person can or wants to be visible.”
Amplify was hosted for the second year in a row by the Red Bank church, and organized by Bonnie Deroski, the church’s Director of Children and Youth Ministries. The first hour of the day featured a room full of activity tables. While there, youth, young adults, parents, and older leaders made rainbow bracelets, created collages from magazine pictures, decorated puzzle pieces to be put together into a large display, and wrote essays and poetry from prompts led by Project Write Now.
The second hour began with an opening meditation by The Rev. Micah Cronin, Associate Pastor at St. George’s by the River Episcopal Church in Rumson, who said, “God of wild love and extravagant acceptance, spirit of boldness and beauty, you call each of us beloved, each of us cherished, each of us desired, and each of us sacred. And so, we give you thanks, now and forever.”
Then Broadway actors Jax Jackson and Irving Dyson Jr., both from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, joined the session. They led the assembled youth through several fun activities and exercises. They encouraged them to share their creations and thoughts about the day. Poems were read, collages were shared and explained. A mom in attendance read a poem and a trans adult sang karaoke. Several others shared their thoughts about the day and their reactions.
A table of literature from the various groups included a flyer from the Middletown Reformed Church, a “fabulous church of love,” and a “welcoming and affirming congregation,” which stated, “We believe that the church is a family, and that all of God’s children are a part of this family.”
The Make It Better for Youth organization states, “The Monmouth County Consortium for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Youth is a non-profit organization of concerned and determined educators, community leaders, arts and cultural organizations, businesses and individuals who are pooling resources and ideas to make it better with education, outreach, and social opportunities for our LGBTQ youth.” They offer the Trans and Non-binary Kids/Teens Meet Up as “a safe space for kids and parents to connect, craft, and socialize.” Their Dads & Discussion is “a conversation group for dads of trans and non-binary youth,” where one is encouraged to “join other dads for open dialogue about our kids and families in a confidential, no-judgment, and supportive space.”
It was heartwarming to spend the afternoon with such creative expression, affirmation, and celebration. You can check out the websites from any of the organizations involved, or the United Methodist Church of Red Bank website for more information. “The United Methodist Church of Red Bank is a Reconciling Congregation. They align with the core values of the Reconciling Ministries Network: To mobilize United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform the Church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love.”
UMCRB is holding a Pride Sunday service on June 22 at 10 AM, featuring songs by the Red Bank Theatre for Young Audience, singing from their upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz.
