Spotlight on Student: Micah LaGrave

“Believing in the One Power, One Presence, God, Absolute Goodness, I trust that I am provided for in all circumstances. Knowing this Truth, I can step out in faith as I speak up for my trans and nonbinary siblings.” Micah LaGrave (Class of 2024)

The divisiveness that appears to be expanding here in America calls for us to demonstrate the Truth principles we claim to believe. What is happening is a great chemicalization. The ugliness is rising to the surface to be healed and transformed. We are an ever-evolving people created in the image and likeness of Divine Love. This is the Truth of our being. 

Unless I revealed myself to you, you would not know anything about my trans identity. I have been further privileged by the relative ease with which I was able to transition. I had health care and I have a supportive wife who traveled the journey through transition with me. My mother-in-law fully embraced this change as did my parents–with some struggle. I had access to testosterone and the financial means for top surgery was made available. 

However, many of my trans and nonbinary brothers and sisters do not have the same experience. This is particularly true of trans women–especially those women of color. At the present time, we are all under attack. All of the focus on trans issues and suppression of access to care is another example of many of the folks in power using fear of differences to stoke their base so that they can shape America into something that we were never meant to be. The trans community joins a long line of marginalized communities being demonized and targeted because of fear of difference. But, there is richness in diversity. 

When we engage with someone who is different than ourselves, we learn something about ourselves. As we engage in what Valeria Kaur refers to as “revolutionary love” and approach others with wonder and curiosity, we grow in our capacity to live fully into who we are and what we are created to be on this plane of existence. As people who embrace the fullness of our individual and collective Divine Nature, we must step up and live fully into our Fifth Principle: To live the truth we know; to walk our talk; to make difference. 

The divisiveness that appears to be expanding here in America calls for us to demonstrate the Truth principles that we say we believe. What is happening is a great chemicalization. The ugliness is rising to the surface to be healed and transformed. We are an ever-evolving people created in the image and likeness of Divine Love. This is the Truth of our being. 

I believe that each of us has a responsibility to examine our own consciousness and root out the ways in which our own behaviors do not align with Truth principles. We need to examine how our implicit biases get in the way of fully embracing the humanity of others and admit to ourselves that this is a challenge. 

As I consider my own vision that ALL VOICES must be heard and represented at the table, I find myself saying that I do not welcome certain voices because they are the ones that seek to erase my trans identity. What I realize is that each of the folks who represent these voices are no less Divine beings than I am. 

With everything that I am, I believe that hearts are transformed when people come together with intention to share authentically. As Truth students, it is our call to be about the work of creating safe spaces where people feel comfortable being vulnerable and able to speak from their personal truth. I have found that when people make that human connection, hearts and minds change. People are transformed. When we know the heart of another, it is difficult to see them as less worthy of breathing the same air.

As for me, I realize that I can no longer remain silent. I must speak out again and again. I must come to the table without fear and step into the Truth of who and what I am as the I AM presence in the world.

Believing in the One Power, One Presence, God, Absolute Goodness, I trust that I am provided for in all circumstances. Knowing this Truth, I can step out in faith as I speak up for my trans and nonbinary brothers and sisters. In practicality, this means I include my pronouns with my email signature as a subtle signal that I am aware of and value difference. It means that I bring my trans identity to the table where I would have otherwise remained silent. It means I educate as I live authentically by stepping up and speaking out about trans issues within my church community.

So, my questions for those reading this article are:

How are you going to show up for yourself?

How are you going to show up for identities in your life which are marginalized?

Even if you are not trans or gender nonconforming, how are you going to education yourself about trans issues?

How are you going to speak up for justice in subtle and not-so-subtle ways?

How are you going to use the areas of privilege that you have as you come to the table?

How are you going to grapple with your own implicit bias?

What are you going to do to stand up, speak out, and make a difference?

How are you going to allow Spirit to live, move, and have its Being in you?

Each of us is a dynamic expression of the I AM presence. There is no doubt in my mind 

that if we each stand in our truth, speak with authentic vulnerability, and open ourselves 

to others with wonder and curiosity, we can make a difference.