Trans priest’s decision to come out is making parishioners feel more welcome
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Reverend Selina McMahon, a transgender priest in the Anglican Church Southern Queensland parish, has opened up about how her decision to come out as trans has had a positive impact on members of the parish. McMahon, originally from Middlesbrough, UK, now resides in Australia and serves as a priest in the Ipswich parish. While a small number of parishioners chose to leave after McMahon’s transition, the majority of the congregation has embraced her with open arms.
McMahon revealed in an interview with QNews that she became a priest before moving to Australia, stating that one day “God got a hold of [her] and said, ‘Hey come on, I’ve got a job for you to do.'” However, it wasn’t until her relocation to Queensland that she realized she had a more significant change in store for her.
Three years ago, McMahon began her transition journey after witnessing a friend go through a similar process back in the UK. Seeing her friend’s courage and confidence inspired McMahon to stop hiding from her true self and fully embrace her identity as Selina. She sought the support of the Church, and after lengthy discussions, they agreed to stand by her during her transition.
While some members of the congregation decided to leave, McMahon expressed that the majority of parishioners were accepting and understanding. She shared that they were “happy that actually they had the same person that they got used to and got to know and love… so they stuck with it.” McMahon’s openness about her transition has also encouraged other parishioners to open up to her and share their own truths.
McMahon recounted one instance where a member of the congregation approached her and confessed, “We didn’t tell you, but our granddaughter married another woman a week or two ago. That’s why we weren’t at church because we went to the wedding, but we couldn’t tell you because we didn’t know how you would react.” This interaction highlights the newfound comfort and trust that members of the parish feel in approaching McMahon and discussing their own LGBTQ+ experiences.
In addition to creating a more inclusive atmosphere within the parish, McMahon has taken her role as a transgender woman a step further by advocating for an LGBTQIA+ outreach officer for the Anglican Church in Southern Queensland. Inspired by a similar position established in the UK, McMahon campaigned for the Church to create this role. She explained to Church officials, “You’ve already got rainbow people in your congregation, you may not know who they are, they are terrified that you find out. If you want to actually make them feel a real part of the congregation, there are some of the things you’re going to have to do.”
After convincing the Church, McMahon was designated as the LGBTQIA+ outreach officer. Her first step in this new role is to conduct a listening exercise where LGBTQ+ individuals, both current and former members of the Church, can share their feelings about any past wrongdoings by the Church. McMahon hopes that by taking these thoughts into account, the Church can issue a formal apology to the LGBTQ+ community and further foster a welcoming environment.
Reverend Selina McMahon’s decision to come out as transgender has had a profound impact on the Anglican Church Southern Queensland parish. Despite some initial challenges, the majority of parishioners have embraced her transition and have felt more comfortable opening up about their own LGBTQ+ experiences. McMahon’s advocacy for an LGBTQIA+ outreach officer reflects her dedication to making the Church a more inclusive and accepting space for all individuals.
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