Pope Francis, who has been mischaracterized as gay-friendly, now has made anti-transgender remarks in a recent conversation with Polish bishops.
The transcript of said discussion, which was released by the Vatican, shows that the Pope used myths about gender identity to criticize transgender people and allies. He said:
“Today, in schools they are teaching this to children — to children! — that everyone can choose their gender. And why do they teach this? Because the books come from those people and institutions who give money.”
Pope Francis failed to name any specific books, people, or institutions. That is because none of his statements are accurate. Transgender people are fighting hard for equality, and it is largely Christian conservative institutions with power trying to oppress them. More importantly, the very basis of the Pope’s argument is false. Gender identity is not a choice. If it were, why would anyone choose to be transgender? Why would anyone choose to subject themselves to systemic discrimination and ignorant comments like that of the Pope?
Pope Francis has also equated transgender people with nuclear weapons. In February 2015, he said:
“Let’s think of the nuclear arms, of the possibility to annihilate in a few instants a very high number of human beings. Let’s also think of genetic manipulation, of the manipulation of life, or of the gender theory, that does not recognize the order of creation.”
In his conversation with Polish bishops, the Pope concluded:
“We are living a moment of annihilation of man as image of God.”
Faith in America expressed disappointment with the Pope’s anti-transgender remarks. Director Eliel Criz said:
“In believing that God is only represented in male or female, Pope Francis is effectively eliminating the diversity and complexity of the image of God. Francis also ignores the reality of intersex individuals in his complementary lens. Pope Francis is denying the full image of God when he denies the transgender community.”
