Transgender U.S. congressmember says she is “ordained” in Protestant church

U.S. Representative Sarah (Tim) McBride. Photo: Getty Images

On April 22, 2026, Sarah McBride, the first transgender member of the U.S. Congress, announced that she had been “ordained” in a Presbyterian church, The Christian Post reports.

In an interview, the politician said she serves as an elder in that church. She also stated that she had received “ordination” in the in the Universal Life Church, a separate religious body where such status is granted through a simplified procedure. McBride noted that this allows her to perform certain rites, including officiating wedding ceremonies.

The statement comes amid ongoing debates in the United States about the role of LGBT individuals in religious and public life. In recent years, a number of Protestant communities have openly supported LGBT individuals, including allowing them to serve in ministry and recognizing same-sex unions, prompting significant controversy among believers.

McBride has previously emphasized her transgender identity and advocated for LGBT rights. Her election to Congress became one of the most visible symbols of change in American politics, while also intensifying polarization in society, including on issues of faith, morality, and church tradition.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Dutch Ministry of Education had called for avoiding the use of the words “father” and “mother.”

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