“I’m Not Becoming a Woman, I’m Giving Up Pretending to Be a Man” — Pastor Announces Gender Transition to Shocked Congregation

A New York pastor has surprised her congregation by announcing that she is transitioning into a woman and will now use she/her pronouns.

Reverend Phil Phaneuf, 51, who was born male, shared the news during Sunday service at North Chili United Methodist Church. Speaking from the pulpit wearing a rainbow stole, she said, “I get to announce with joy that I am transitioning. I am affirming and saying to all of you that I am transgender.” She added, “The best way to put this is that I’m not becoming a woman, I’m giving up pretending to be a man.”

Phaneuf revealed that her new name will be Phillippa Faye Phaneuf, though she will continue to go by Reverend Phil. She told the congregation, “I’m not going to be the pronoun police. I don’t think that anybody will misgender or mis-pronoun out of malice.”

The pastor assured church members that the transition will only involve physical changes, noting she has been on hormone replacement therapy for about three months. She emphasized that her dedication to Jesus Christ and her ministry will remain unchanged.