Ministry & Counsel is hosting a second hour interactive discussion on the meaning of gender, authenticity, and wholeness. Dr. Chloe Schwenke (traveling minister released from Adelphi Meeting).

Description of the discussion:

While many Quakers have become sensitive to and supportive of the lives and aspirations of lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons within their Meeting and beyond, most Quakers have far less understanding of transgender and intersex persons. Those who are on a journey of claiming their authentic gender identity may have much to teach those who are comfortably "embodied", yet gender non-conforming people need support and understanding. As an openly transgender Friend – a transsexual woman – with a recognized ministry supported by Adelphi Meeting, Chloe would welcome a chance to engage with Frederick Friends and Attenders to bust a few pernicious stereotypes, provoke some thoughtful reflection, expand the space of affirmation and welcome, and learn from all of you how Frederick Meeting has been addressing this concern.

This short “workshop” will explore what makes gender identity and expression “authentic”. The workshop leader, Chloe, is an openly transsexual Quaker woman, whose spiritual journey of transformation offers a thoughtful challenge to how each of us must pursue our own quests for authenticity and peace, despite sometimes nearly universal rejection – even from faith communities. Yet some truths are worth the struggle, and only in living such truths can  life become meaningful, centered, and woven tightly into the community.

Dr. Chloe Schwenke is an ethicist and was one of the first 3 transgender federal government political appointees in American history. She left the Obama Administration early in 2013 to become vice president of America’s oldest human rights organization: Freedom House. In that capacity, she works on a daily basis to promote human dignity for all persons in developing and repressive countries around the world. Chloe is formally recognized as a traveling minister by her Adelphi Quaker Meeting. We welcome you to participate in an engaging and interactive discussion on the meaning of gender, authenticity, and wholeness.