A Methodist pastor in New York announced last week plans to transition into a woman and said the 51-year-old now identifies as asexual. Rev. Phillip Phaneuf, of North Chili United Methodist Church in Rochester, made the announcement at a Nov. 23 Sunday service.
The personal update was provided from the pulpit while wearing a rainbow stole. “So I get to announce with joy that I’m transitioning,” Phaneuf replied. “I am confirming to you all that I identify as transsexual.
To put it simply, I’m giving up trying to be a male rather than changing into a woman. This is a process, and it may be shocking for some as to what this all signifies.”
Phaneuf added that the pastor’s sexuality is now asexual, an orientation in which a person experiences little or no sexual attraction to others
I’m in the category of what they call asexual,” Phaneuf said. “I’ve been that way since we’ve all been together, in that I am not living my life in a way that involves looking for romance.”
Phaneuf said the name will be changed to Phillippa, and the preferred pronouns are she/her. Hormone replacement therapy has been underway for the past three months, Phaneuf confirmed, and changes to appearance, voice and hair are expected.
Phaneuf told Fox News Digital Tuesday that the details of the transition process are accurate and that the community has been extremely welcoming.
“Since coming out to my congregation, they have been overwhelmingly affirming!” Phaneuf said.
The pastor said the bishop, church and theology support the transition, noting that the bishop was consulted before the announcement and that any pastoral duties at the church will not be affected. “What will stay the same is my deepening love for all of you,” Phaneuf said.
The 51-year-old’s parents, however, do not support the decision. “They asked me to tell you all that they do not support me,” Phaneuf announced during the sermon. “They asked me to tell you this.”