SBCV Resolution on Transgenderism and Public Schools

See below the resolution I authored and the Resolutions Committee of the SBC of Virginia presented November 15, 2016 in Roanoke.  The resolution was passed on a voice vote without opposition.

Resolution 7 - On Transgenderism and the Public Schools

WHEREAS, God has created humanity male and female (Gen. 1: 27), and

WHEREAS, Human sexuality is the created ideal of God and honorable in biblical expression (Heb. 13: 4), and

WHEREAS, Sexual confusion is one among many expressions of a fallen world (Rom. 1: 26-27), and

WHEREAS, Christians are called to teach and model proper human sexuality (1 Thess. 4: 3-8), and

WHEREAS, Gender dysphoria is a struggle for many, and

WHEREAS, There is an increased interest in gender dysphoria in general and transgenderism in particular, and

WHEREAS, Transgenderism is often a complicated complex of the emotional, physical, environmental and spiritual that is largely not understood, and

WHEREAS, Federal agencies have given guidance on transgender issues which is contrary to biblical revelation and long honored common sense sexual privacy protections, and

WHEREAS, School districts have been especially impacted by transgender controversy in part due to direction provided by the Department of Education, and

WHEREAS, Multiple school districts in the Commonwealth of Virginia are facing crucial decisions on transgender issues, and

WHEREAS, The privacy and safety of school age children is of the utmost concern, and

WHEREAS, Gloucester County School Board has taken a stand in G. G. v Gloucester County School Board in which the American Civil Liberties Union is representing a local self-identified transgender student, and

WHEREAS, The United States Supreme Court has recently agreed to hear G. G. v Gloucester County School Board, and

WHEREAS, The decision of the Supreme Court may have lasting consequences to school districts nationwide for years to come, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the messengers of the SBC of Virginia meeting in Roanoke Virginia, November 13-15, 2016 affirm the wisdom of God in assigning sex to His creations, and be it further

RESOLVED, That Christians affirm the need to minister to those who self-identify as transgender and their families, and be it further

RESOLVED, The Convention affirm and support the Gloucester County School Board in their persistent efforts to withstand cultural and legal challenges while pursuing protections for school children, and be it finally

RESOLVED, That we affirm our commitment to pray for the United States Supreme Court to rule in a fashion which will protect the privacy and safety of school children by affirming biological sexuality according to God’s created order by perpetuating protections in bathrooms and locker-rooms.