Pro-LGBT Religious Group Calls Out Pope Francis Over Anti-Trans Comments

New York, New York - In remarks released by the Vatican in a closed-door meeting, Pope Francis proved once again he is a danger to the LGBT community. Francis' softer tone towards lesbian and gay people does not mean any actual policy changes and does not extend to the transgender community.

In the closed door meeting, Pope Francis says it is "terrible" children are able to choose their gender and called the transgender community "the epoch of sin against God the Creator." Pope Francis continued: "We are living a moment of annihilation of man as image of God." He also blamed the schools for "teaching" children they can choose their gender.

"It is incredibly na�ve Pope Francis believes the image of God is anything close to binary," Eliel Cruz executive director of Faith in America 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."

Pope Francis' comments endanger the lives of trans people, especially children. Family rejection is a high cause of suicide attempts by transgender individuals. Forty percent of transgender persons say they have attempted suicide sometime in their lifetime. Pope Francis' comments only add fuel to the alarming rate of suicide attempts instead of providing words that are affirming and life giving.

Established in 2006, Faith in America is a non-profit organization whose ultimate goal is to end decades and centuries of using religious teachings to justify marginalizing and discriminating against others. We are dedicated to influencing media and faith community narratives on religion and sexuality. Our goal is to move the needle forward on LGBTQ equality in the pews and in our legislation. Our Mission is to educate the public about the ongoing harm caused to LGBTQ persons, especially youth, by religious-based prejudice. Our dream is to change the hearts and minds of religious communities on the "sinful" nature of homosexuality. To remove it permanently from "the sin list."