Can You Be Trans and Christian? One Former Megachurch Pastor Says Yes — and She’s Running for Office

Can you be transgender and Christian?What happens when a megachurch pastor comes out as trans?And why is she now running for public office?In this powerful episode of You Can Be Both, host Lauren Lanzaretta sits down with Joanna Whaley, a former evangelical megachurch pastor who was outed, fired, and subjected to 15 years of conversion therapy — and is now running for the Michigan House of Representatives.Joanna shares:    •    What 15 years of conversion therapy did to her mental health    •    The real experience of gender dysphoria    •    What it felt like to lose her job after being outed    •    Why she still identifies as a Christian    •    How Christian nationalism impacts LGBTQ people    •    Her response to rhetoric from Donald Trump and the rise of anti-trans legislation    •    Why she believes we’re in a “100-year battle” for LGBTQ inclusion in the church• Why she's running for Michigan House of RepresentativesJoanna previously served at one of America’s largest megachurches, including Life Church, and holds a seminary degree focused on liberation and queer theology. Today, she works as a clinical chaplain and advocates for LGBTQ+ Christians seeking faith without shame.If you’ve ever wondered:    •    Is being LGBTQ a sin?    •    What does the Bible really say about trans people?    •    Can you follow Jesus and affirm queer identities?    •    How do you survive coming out in evangelical spaces?This conversation is for you.💬 “You are not a problem for God.”That message alone could change someone’s life.⸻📌 Resources Mentioned    •    LGBTQ Healing & Resource Guide: https://www.laurenlanzaretta.com/youcanbeboth    •    Support Joanna’s campaign: https://www.joannawhaley.com/If this episode encouraged you, don’t forget to:👍 Like🔔 Subscribe📤 Share with someone who needs hopeYou can be LGBTQ. You can love Jesus. You don’t have to choose.#TransChristian #LGBTQFaith #Exvangelical #ChristianNationalism #GenderDysphoria #ConversionTherapy #ProgressiveChristianity #FaithAndPolitics #QueerTheology #MichiganPolitics