Lisa S . Salazar | Vancouver School of Theology (original) (raw)
Papers by Lisa S . Salazar
Final term paper for SP511: Sophia in the Life and Theology of Thomas Merton, Professor: Dr. Chri... more Final term paper for SP511: Sophia in the Life and Theology of Thomas Merton, Professor: Dr. Christopher Pramuk.
Vancouver School of Theology.
September 18, 2014
The scope of this paper is limited to exploring some of the roots of the rejection and injustice ... more The scope of this paper is limited to exploring some of the roots of the rejection and injustice trans* persons experienced. Weʼll examine the anti-trans rhetoric and actions which have resulted in the on-going controversy and the mistreatment gender non-conforming persons.
This paper will not deal with why and how people may be transgender and will use as a starting point the assumption that: 1) transgenderism is a fact of life; 2) “gender dysphoria” (distress) is the medical term for the “condition”; 3) the treatment for gender dysphoria is an evolving science; 4) gender dysphoria is a spectrum, therefore there is no cookie-cutter solution that will work for everyone who is on that spectrum—treatment is individualized.
However, this paper will attempt to provide some helpful background information that will assist in our understanding of the systemic hostility, rejection and injustice many gender nonconforming persons experience.
We will consider the question of what are the roots of societyʼs fears and objections that makes it so difficult for people to accept transgenderism. Perhaps the answers will inform the conversation and help reduce societyʼs reluctance, and in some cases unwillingness to extend equal rights to those who transgress societyʼs construed gender standards.
Drafts by Lisa S . Salazar
![Research paper thumbnail of The Transgender Spirituality Pulse Survey [ TSPS ] A Qualitative & Quantitative Study](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/101617332/thumbnails/1.jpg)
](While many studies have explored the religious and spiritual practices of transgender persons, th... more While many studies have explored the religious and spiritual practices of transgender persons, their scope and focus have been limited. For example, one study focuses on transgender women only, and another on the spirituality of the LGBTQ community at large, with only 2% trans participants. The scope of the Transgender Spirituality Pulse Survey (TSPS) was not to do a comparative analysis with other published studies per se but to capture a composite, multigenerational picture of how transgender people experience and express their spirituality. The qualitative portion of this study reflects the narratives of 18 self-identified transgender and gender-queer men and women. The quantitative portion was a multiple choice survey of 71 self-identified transgender and gender-queer men and women, with an average age of 44 years. Transgender persons, it could be said, have lived in a social and emotional pressure cooker for most of their lives. This study reveals some of the negative effects their religious upbringing, which was often described as repressive, dogmatic, and judgmental, has had on them, as well as how many no longer depend on church or faith community involvement to sustain themselves spiritually. The study also reveals how this pressure cooker existence has contributed to a more individualized and deeply personal spirituality. This is demonstrated in some dramatic ways; transgender persons have a daily spiritual experience that is more intense than that of the general population. The findings of this study offer valuable insights to anyone wishing to provide faith-based or spiritual support to transgender persons.
KEYWORDS: Transgender, Transgender Men, Transgender Women, Gender-Queer, Spirituality, Faith-based Support, Spiritual Care
Final term paper for SP511: Sophia in the Life and Theology of Thomas Merton, Professor: Dr. Chri... more Final term paper for SP511: Sophia in the Life and Theology of Thomas Merton, Professor: Dr. Christopher Pramuk.
Vancouver School of Theology.
September 18, 2014
The scope of this paper is limited to exploring some of the roots of the rejection and injustice ... more The scope of this paper is limited to exploring some of the roots of the rejection and injustice trans* persons experienced. Weʼll examine the anti-trans rhetoric and actions which have resulted in the on-going controversy and the mistreatment gender non-conforming persons.
This paper will not deal with why and how people may be transgender and will use as a starting point the assumption that: 1) transgenderism is a fact of life; 2) “gender dysphoria” (distress) is the medical term for the “condition”; 3) the treatment for gender dysphoria is an evolving science; 4) gender dysphoria is a spectrum, therefore there is no cookie-cutter solution that will work for everyone who is on that spectrum—treatment is individualized.
However, this paper will attempt to provide some helpful background information that will assist in our understanding of the systemic hostility, rejection and injustice many gender nonconforming persons experience.
We will consider the question of what are the roots of societyʼs fears and objections that makes it so difficult for people to accept transgenderism. Perhaps the answers will inform the conversation and help reduce societyʼs reluctance, and in some cases unwillingness to extend equal rights to those who transgress societyʼs construed gender standards.
While many studies have explored the religious and spiritual practices of transgender persons, th... more While many studies have explored the religious and spiritual practices of transgender persons, their scope and focus have been limited. For example, one study focuses on transgender women only, and another on the spirituality of the LGBTQ community at large, with only 2% trans participants. The scope of the Transgender Spirituality Pulse Survey (TSPS) was not to do a comparative analysis with other published studies per se but to capture a composite, multigenerational picture of how transgender people experience and express their spirituality. The qualitative portion of this study reflects the narratives of 18 self-identified transgender and gender-queer men and women. The quantitative portion was a multiple choice survey of 71 self-identified transgender and gender-queer men and women, with an average age of 44 years. Transgender persons, it could be said, have lived in a social and emotional pressure cooker for most of their lives. This study reveals some of the negative effects their religious upbringing, which was often described as repressive, dogmatic, and judgmental, has had on them, as well as how many no longer depend on church or faith community involvement to sustain themselves spiritually. The study also reveals how this pressure cooker existence has contributed to a more individualized and deeply personal spirituality. This is demonstrated in some dramatic ways; transgender persons have a daily spiritual experience that is more intense than that of the general population. The findings of this study offer valuable insights to anyone wishing to provide faith-based or spiritual support to transgender persons.
KEYWORDS: Transgender, Transgender Men, Transgender Women, Gender-Queer, Spirituality, Faith-based Support, Spiritual Care