Pastor blasts church for not standing firmly against transgenderism
The sight of men sporting lip gloss, hair extensions, pumps, and carrying designer purses in some of Jamaica’s more prominent churches is of serious concern to at least one member of the clergy, who
fears transgenderism is now being endorsed instead of rebuked in places of worship.
Apostle Kenton Palmer said he has personally witnessed the trend and is now in the process of counselling persons who were deceived by men who disguised themselves as women. The pastor, whose church is based in an inner-city community in Kingston, is hoping that more men of the cloth will speak out against what he has described as “a reprobate” lifestyle.
“I’ve had personal encounters with this, so I can talk about it. It’s in the churches. I have seen males, and I know that they are males, walk up in the church with their female pocketbooks popping out of
their purses to throw their offering. These are men, choir directors, praise and worship leaders, so it has made its way in the church,” he told Freedom Come Rain during a recent interview.
“As leaders, we need to be radical with the Word of God and stand up for the truth in the Word of God. If it is wrong, it is wrong,” he asserted. Apostle Palmer said both men and women are openly displaying transgenderism. In recent times, one of his female congregants left the church because she attempted to discuss her “manly” dressing with him.
“Pastors need to put their foot down when it comes on to these things. Leaders of churches need to put their foot down when it comes down to living for Christ,” he stated firmly. Apostle Palmer feels a number of those men who adopt the lifestyle are doing so to acquire financial benefits. Simply put,
he said a lot of these men love “sweets.”
Some, he noted, were converted in their workplaces and do not have any qualms
about displaying their feminine attitudes at church. There are those too, he pointed out, who were converted by their pastors.
“That is what is causing the mess in the church—pastors getting involved in it because of fame. Church leaders are introducing this level of homosexuality to young boys and to young girls,” he said.
One former behavioural change specialist who worked for several years with the LGBTQ community in Jamaica told Freedom Come Rain earlier this year that she had to stop attending a particular
church because the male pastor had expressed sexual interest in her son. She said it was common knowledge that the pastor was involved sexually with persons of the same sex. Several prominent members of the church were also engaged in the lesbian and gay lifestyle.
There has been a split in several of the more dominant denominations internationally over same-sex marriages and relationships. Earlier this year, the United Methodist Church overturned its
40-year ban on gay clergy, marking a historic shift in the church’s stance on homosexuality. Several churches have since parted ways with the global denomination due to its liberal stance on LGBTQ ministers and congregants.
In December 2023, the Vatican approved a landmark ruling to allow Roman Catholic priests to administer blessings to same-sex couples as long as they are not part of regular church rituals or liturgies. A document from the Vatican’s doctrinal office approved by Pope Francis said the blessings would be a sign that God welcomes all. The Church of England also approves of same-sex relationships.
Churches have also supported ‘pride’ events and drag shows, which are becoming common in some cities. Apostle Palmer is concerned about what the adoption of the LGBTQ lifestyle by local churches means for future generations. Already, the church is struggling with a shortage of men. With
so many now portraying feminine attitudes, he said it will make it even more difficult for women in the church to find suitable husbands.
“These men don’t want no woman. The woman want a nice church-going man, and can’t find one in the church. If you interview 10 church-going woman, I can guarantee you that they can’t find a proper husband in the church,” he lamented.
The pastor is appealing for men to “man up.” “Man have to be man. Take back your
authority as a man,” he said before adding that “so many women are taking over lead
roles in our churches, in our communities, in our business places.”