Growing up Mennonite in rural Ohio, I rarely heard of the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests. When I did, it was usually in a denominational news story about them attempting to field a table at a Mennonite conference and usually failing. Queer people were never talked about, but it was in the water that being LGBTQ+ was deviant and sinful. Even so, I didn’t have strong feelings about LGBTQ+ people one way or the other. It has been quite a journey from me growing up in that environment, trying to be a good rule-follower, to the place where I am now.

Early in my transition, I was hungry for queer community where I could feel safe and find others like me to help understand myself. I wanted at least some of that community to be Christian and, if possible, Mennonite. Finding myself again living in rural conservative Ohio, online connections and community became even more important.

I don’t remember all the connections I made in that time, but many led to BMC. I took Jesus’ promise, “Knock, and the door will be opened,” to heart. I met BMC elders who recounted stories of struggle, setback and success.

I shared deeply with fellow trans Anabaptists, blessing each other by retelling our journeys. I was and continue to be cared for and encouraged by gentle pastoral souls who walk with me in my struggles and pains.

BMC members were with me when I finally decided to come out to extended family, my local church and beyond. June of this year marks my two-year anniversary on hormone replacement therapy and July the two-year anniversary of being fully out as a trans woman.

I am incredibly grateful for my siblings in BMC and other queer Mennonites who have walked with me throughout my discovery and acceptance of myself, fully coming out, continuing through today.

I was not always affirming of LGBTQ+ people. Growing up, and even into early adulthood, I didn’t consider anyone’s sexual orientation sinful but believed marriage was meant for one man and one woman. However, I found trans people particularly offensive. I’m sure there was some internalized self-loathing going on there.

As I progressed in my faith, the centrality of God’s love, and Jesus’ example of it, became more central to my worldview.

In my Mennonite grade school, our fifth-grade class memorized the Sermon on the Mount. These words of Jesus, written on my heart, helped me focus on what I believe is the core of the gospel. Matthew 7:12 seems to distill it: “In all things [my emphasis], treat others as you would like to be treated, for this sums up the law and the prophets.”

This is it: All our beliefs and actions need to pass this test. How would I like to be treated if I were gay? Who would I like to be able to be intimate with and marry? How would I like to be treated if I were transgender?

Everything fell into place with this understanding of God’s love. I have seen the fruits of the Spirit in my life. Siblings in the faith have affirmed this.

I recently joined the Queer Leadership Coalition, which represents, cares for and advocates for LGBTQ+ people in Mennonite Church USA. I am excited to join BMC in this as I continue the work of being an out transgender Mennonite, demonstrating that phrase is not an oxymoron. I want to be visible for those questioning their gender identity. I want to be a safe person for them to confide in.

I stand on the shoulders of those who put in the hard work to gain a seat at the table, who didn’t know when or if they would get to experience the fruits of their toil. I am excited to see what fruits and joys the next 50 years bring!

Brie Yoder (she/her) lives in Millersburg, Ohio, with her spouse, daughter, one dog and three cats. A software engineer and part-time deejay, she is a member of Millersburg Mennonite Church and Community of Hope Mennonite Church, where she serves on the leadership team.