In a notable departure from the stance taken by many religious denominations nationwide, the Galileo Church in Fort Worth, Texas, has chosen a path of acceptance and support for the LGBTQ+ community. At a time when the state’s legislature has enacted laws that ban healthcare providers from treating transgender kids, this congregation has taken a stand to provide assistance and welcome to those in need.
A Welcoming Haven Amidst Controversy
The Galileo Church’s decision to support the LGBTQ+ community comes as a breath of fresh air in a divisive climate. The congregation has expressed deep concern over Texas’s recent legislation, which restricts healthcare access for transgender children. To address this pressing issue, the church has initiated the North Texas TRANSportation Network program. The program aims to facilitate access to necessary healthcare services for transgender and gender-diverse children.
Uniting Against Discrimination
At a recent vigil attended by approximately 300 individuals, a local mayor emphasized the importance of unity in the face of dehumanization and fear-mongering. They stressed that healthcare is a fundamental human right, and withholding it from trans kids is a form of state-sanctioned cruelty. The Galileo Church, echoing this sentiment, states on its website, “As neighbors to one another, we seek ways to help each other’s families flourish.”
A Helping Hand for Families
The church is extending practical support by offering a $1,000 grant to families in need of out-of-state treatment for their transgender or gender-diverse children. Notably, this initiative is funded by individual donors and organizations, with no public funds involved. Importantly, the program does not require applicants to adhere to specific religious beliefs or participate in church activities. The only requirement is that families reside in the 19-county northern Texas area and have a transgender or gender-diverse child.
Executive Director Cynthia Daniels, herself a mother of three, expressed the program’s significance, emphasizing the urgency of providing healthcare to those who need it. She stated, “To me, it’s just being a good neighbor to a group of people who have been selected to not be able to receive their healthcare, and to me, that’s devastating.”
As the Galileo Church stands firmly in support of the LGBTQ+ community and their healthcare needs, it exemplifies a message of compassion and inclusion in a challenging environment.