On Monday, March 3, members of Hennepin Avenue UMC joined faith leaders, advocates, and community members at the Minnesota State Capitol to stand in solidarity with transgender youth and affirm their dignity and right to belong. The gathering was held in response to HF 12, a bill that sought to prohibit transgender youth from participating in sports teams that align with their gender identity. The proposed legislation was widely criticized for targeting and excluding transgender children, raising concerns about fairness, inclusion, and the broader implications of such policies on LGBTQ+ rights.
What began as a public demonstration in response to proposed legislation ended in victory: The bill failed to secure the 68 votes needed and did not pass in the Minnesota House. It’s a win for all who believe in inclusion!
Hennepin Avenue UMC has long been committed to creating an inclusive and just community, where every person is valued and affirmed. The rally at the Capitol was a moment to stand with others in that commitment, advocating for the dignity and rights of transgender youth. Our presence alongside faith leaders, community members, and advocates reinforced the shared belief that we value belonging, justice, and the full participation of all people in society.
Faith in Action: A Prayer for Justice
Our Lead Pastor, Rev. Elizabeth Macaulay, was invited by OutFront Minnesota to lead a prayer—one deeply rooted in both faith and personal experience.
As she introduced herself, she spoke not only as a pastor leading our church, but as the daughter of a trans woman. She then led the crowd in an echo prayer, raising a collective call for justice and love:
“God of rainbow glory,
Thank you for our trans children. May they know their glory and sacred worth.
During these days of fear-stirring and othering, help our legislators to see every God-created child as sacred.
Help our children to know that all people are holy.
All children deserve to play.
All children are a gift from you.
Help us to do all in our power
To make this world safe
For our children, our neighbors, our hearts.
Grant us power.
Grant us persistence.
Grant us grace.
May we keep Minnesota and this beloved world safe for all. Amen.”
The power of the moment was undeniable—a community standing in solidarity, raising voices for love and justice.
Voices from the Rally
For many who attended from our congregation, the rally was both a moment of witnessing and a call to action.
Cindy McCalment, HAUMC Chaplain, emphasized that her presence at the rally was driven by love and justice:
“I was at the Capitol yesterday for many reasons: Because I’m enraged by the hate—and at the same time, want to embody love. Because I’m the aunt of a transgender niece. Because I want my granddaughter to know that she can advocate for what she believes. Because I want Hennepin Ave. United Methodist Church to be known as a loud, proud, strong voice for justice. I found it really uplifting to be there!”
Candace Kirkedahlen, HAUMC Member, found inspiration in the voices of young trans individuals speaking out:
“Hearing at church about the rally, I realized that was my chance to be part of something I care deeply about. My tightly knit family of fourteen holds our four trans members close, and one joined me at the rally to share voice and love, and great energy. Hearing the voices of the young telling their truths, some with tears, some their first time in front of a mic, raised my awareness along with my will and desire to do more. I am so proud to be a member of a church that in all ways possible watches, listens, prays, and acts. Thank you, Hennepin UMC.”
Jerry Gale, HAUMC Member, reflected on why he felt compelled to attend:
“I attended the rally this afternoon because I have been wrestling with the issue of trans girls competing in sports. Not because I oppose trans girls competing in sports, but because I don’t believe that this is an important issue for this country. We are about ready to lose our democracy, and the other side wants us to debate if two or three trans girls in Minnesota should be prevented from playing sports. They want the country to be distracted while they install a theocracy and/or autocracy.”
For Jerry, this moment in history echoes past struggles for LGBTQ+ rights:
“The debate around transgender rights sounds similar to the debate about gay people and gay marriage 20-30 years ago. The other side considered gay people sinful and used the Bible to justify discrimination. Let’s be clear—the other side is not just against trans girls competing in sports, but they are against trans girls existing… I was impressed by the number of ministries, pastors, and rabbis at this rally today. These people of faith understand that God loves everyone. It is a message to be shared widely. It is a message that Hennepin Church needs to share widely.”
For Céleste Douville, HAUMC Office Manager, the rally was a reminder that freedom should never have to be fought for, yet it is constantly under threat.
“I was at the Capitol today because we who believe in freedom cannot rest. Because I want to take back the word freedom. Freedom should be free, it should NOT have to be fought for. Because anti-choice, hatred, and restrictions are on the rise, and we have to stand in love against this [Christian Nationalism] that has taken hold of some people.”
A Victory—and the Work Ahead
While we celebrate that this harmful bill will not move forward, our work is far from over. This moment reminds us that Hennepin Avenue UMC must continue to lead the fight against injustice and be a safe harbor for those who are persecuted.
Pastor Elizabeth reminds us, this is about a larger, life-or-death struggle for dignity and belonging. Our movement does not end here. The victory against HF 12 strengthens our resolve to keep showing up, speaking out, and advocating for the full inclusion of all God’s beloved children.
As OutFront Minnesota put it:
“We’ll keep showing up. We all deserve the chance to play the sports we love. And we all deserve to be ourselves free from scrutiny, bullying, and harassment. That’s the promise we’ve made in Minnesota. And it’s a promise we’ll work to keep.”
The movement for dignity, belonging, and justice continues—and we will be there.