Pastor shocks congregation after publicly announcing he is transitioning into a woman

A pastor in upstate New York surprised her congregation after announcing during Sunday service that she is transgender and has begun her transition.

Rev. Phil Phaneuf, 51, of North Chili United Methodist Church, told worshippers that she has been undergoing hormone therapy for about three months and will now use she/her pronouns.

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She also shared that her new name is Phillippa Faye Phaneuf, though she plans to continue using “Rev. Phil” in her ministry.

Wearing a rainbow stole, Phaneuf told the church that the decision was about honesty and authenticity, saying she was “not becoming a woman,” but “giving up pretending to be a man.”

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“I get to announce with joy that I am transitioning. I am affirming and saying to all of you that I am transgender. The best way to put this is that I’m not becoming a woman, I’m giving up pretending to be a man.!,” the veteran pastor declared on Sunday.

She assured members that the transition will only bring physical changes and that her commitment to her faith and her pastoral duties remains unchanged.

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Phaneuf added that she does not expect anyone to intentionally misgender her and stressed that the announcement would not alter her dedication to Jesus Christ or her work in the church.

Church leadership has expressed support for her decision.

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