Indiana clergy oppose anti-trans legislation. Here’s what they said in an open letter to state legislators

Indiana clergy members sent an open letter to the governor and state legislators, calling for an end to anti-trans legislation. The letter is signed by a grassroots coalition of 87 Hoosier clergy members and begins by addressing Indiana State senators and Representatives: “We, the many diverse undersigned Hoosier pastors, rabbis, imams, ministers, and religious professionals, are writing you an open letter to publicly express an urgent spiritual concern.” “Most of our political leaders have the impression that people of faith in Indiana uniformly favor legislation restricting the rights of transgender people,” the Rev. Jeff Miner, of LifeJourney Church in Indianapolis, said in a statement. “Our letter makes clear that’s not the case. Many, many of us stand with our transgender neighbors.” In recent sessions of the Indiana General Assembly, at least 16 bills were filed — and a few passed — targeting transgender people, the letter states. This includes bills “attempting to prevent gender affirming medical care,” “deny trans people the ability to amend governmental identification documents” and “interfere with the ability of parents to make vital medical decisions for their children.” The letter continues, stating that bills such as those not only restrict basic civil rights, but creates an...