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.

Statement on SCOTUS Decision

to Hear

G.G. v Gloucester County School Board

By

Dr. Rodney F. Autry

Senior Pastor, Union Baptist Church, Hayes, VA

“We are extremely gratified the High Court has agreed to hear the weighty case originating in Gloucester County.  The battle to maintain time honored protections for minors in delicate sexual environments has taken several twists and turns.  The Court is the sworn interpreter and defender of our Constitution and the freedoms which issue from it.  It is appropriate that they consider a matter which the Executive Branch has suggested can be resolved by fiat.  Unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats have no right to determine the welfare of the children of Gloucester County or of the nation as a whole.  We trust a timely, fair hearing of this matter will result in sensible solutions which guarantee our school children are assured that awkward, embarrassing and potentially dangerous conditions are not imposed on them.  The Gloucester County School Board is to be commended for championing this matter when other bodies have yielded to pressures from without.  At all points, they have shown rare courage while pursuing this matter with judicial savvy and professional constraint.  Their approach to this highly volatile issue remains a model for school boards elsewhere.  I trust that whether the Court issues a sweeping, landmark decision or a narrower ruling focused specifically on our case that Gloucester schools remain safe zones sexually where common sense, civil protections continue for school age children who have no vote in their own welfare.”