The Catholic hierarchy teaches that God created a binary system of male and female bodies that are supposed to complement each other. They believe that women and men are equal in worth and dignity, yet their physical and anatomical differences are evidence that God intends different roles and purposes for them in church, society and the family.
Men are always awarded power, authority and dominance, women are relegated to the roles of service, nurturing and adoration, and non-binary or gender non-conforming people are not even recognized. We work towards a world that treats all people equally regardless of sex, gender identity, or gender expression.
We've compiled these talking points to help inform Catholic conversations about gender equity. The vast majority of people are assigned either male or female at birth. Gender is far more complex than your sex assigned at birth. Gender refers to the socially constructed characteristics perceived by society based on traditional masculinity and femininity. This includes expectations of behavior, dress and communication. However, virtually everyone is a unique blend of characteristics, defying a strict binary.
Clothing, appearance and behaviors are all ways people can express their gender identity. People whose gender identity is the same or in line with their assigned sex are called cisgender. People whose gender identity differs from their assigned sex may identify as transgender, nonbinary, genderqueer or gender non-conforming. They have never felt fully aligned with the gender identity that traditionally corresponds with the sex assigned to them at birth. Knowing they have your support is crucial to their well-being and development.
Search for resources online about transgender identities, and consider meeting with a psychologist who specializes in supporting transgender and non-binary people. But always assure your child that they have your unconditional love and support. The actual experience of transgender Catholics varies depending on their communities. In the United States, the attitudes of Catholics have been shifting, and many more say they support transgender rights than they did five years ago. The Church condemns anything that strays from those roles.
