AEGIS Asks Transsexuals Everywhere
To Pray for Presbyterian Church

Cherokee Presbytery Reveals
Plan to Remove
Transsexual Minister

Carla T. Pridgen, an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church USA and a male-to-female transsexual, was asked to resign today by the Cherokee Presbytery of Northwest Georgia. The Presbytery includes conservative and controversial Cobb County, which has received both condemnation and support for its anti-gay and lesbian resolution.

Pridgen finds herself in the strange position of being asked to resign, even though no formal charges have been made against her. She is unavailable for comment until after she consults with her attorney.

Pridgen's resignation was recommended by the Christian Educational Committee, which has been "studying her situation" for some time. The Committee read the following statement at a meeting of the Presbytery today:

     Background Statement

     "There are times when the Committee on Ministry
     faces situations among the minister members of the
     Presbytery or among Presbyterian churches which
     are of such a highly sensitive nature that special
     care and attention is needed.

     "Such an occasion occurred with the dissolution of
     the pastoral relationship between Carlton Pridgen
     and the Calhoun Presbyterian Church in February of
     1993.  At that time, a subcommittee of COM
     (Committee on Ministry) began confidentially and
     pastorally to care for Carlton and members of the
     Calhoun Church.

     "When the pulpit became vacant, the COM began its
     work with the Session and the congregation of the
     Calhoun Church.

     "As time went on, it became clear that Carlton had
     begun a transition to a transgender expression,
     and wished to be known as Carla.  The entire
     committee was apprised of Carlton's/Carla's
     transgendered status.  Additional visits were made
     to the Calhoun Session, and the Presbytery was
     formally notified of this situation on August 1,
     1995.

     "Over the last year, the COM as a whole has met
     with Carla in person, received written
     correspondence from him/her, and conducted one
     telephone conference call.  Additionally,
     individual members of COM have talked with him/her
     by telephone.  Hours of discussion and prayer,
     especially during this last year, have occupied
     much of the Committee's time.

     "This situation is exceedingly complex, involving
     a number of persons and issues.  We have explored
     this whole matter and have not reached our
     decision lightly.  Praying for the Spirit's
     guidance, we feel that C.T. Pridgen should not
     continue in the practice of ministry of word and
     sacrament in the Presbyterian Church, USA.  We
     believe this is the right course of action both
     for Carlton/Carla and for the whole Church."
Pridgen was told that if she did not resign by the time of the next Presbytery meeting on 28 May, 1996, she would be placed on inactive status. After three years on inactive status, she would be stripped of her ordination. She was told also that if she practices ministry in any form, her ordination will be immediately terminated.

Dallas Denny, executive director of the American Educational Gender Information Service, Inc., a nonprofit clearinghouse and advocacy agency on transsexual and transgender issues, said, "I find it tragic and pathetic that the Cherokee Presbytery is unable and unwilling to deal with the issue of transsexualism. We do not live in simple times, and the twenty-first century is certainly going to be even more complex. Is the Presbyterian Church going to run away from those issues, too?"

Denny pointed out that in the early part of this century, Georgia Presbyteries were condemning clothing much more moderate than those worn by the majority of the Cherokee Presbytery members today. She called for transsexuals to pray for the spiritual enlightenment of the Presbytery Church. "Carla Pridgen is a fine person who has lived an exemplary life. She and her family have been done a grievous wrong by the Cherokee Presbytery. Perhaps the prayers of transsexuals everywhere will help the Presbytery and the Presbyterian Church in their time of need."

Pridgen's father is also a Presbyterian minister.


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