The Image of God & LGBTQ+ Faith: A Transgender Christian's Story | Perspectives FUMCSD Pastors Podcast S3E43
Jul 19, 2026
Summary
What does it mean to be made in the image of God as an LGBTQ+ Christian? Rev. Dr. Hannah Ka is joined by Benicio Casillas, a transgender Christian and member of First United Methodist Church of San Diego, for a conversation about faith, identity, Ecclesiastes 3, and trusting God when life refuses to fit into neat categories.
Detail
What does it mean to be made in the image of God as an LGBTQ+ Christian?
Rev. Dr. Hannah Ka is joined by Benicio Casillas, a transgender Christian and member of First United Methodist Church of San Diego, for a conversation about faith, identity, Ecclesiastes 3, and trusting God when life refuses to fit into neat categories.
This is Episode 1 of our four-part Imago Dei 2.0 series celebrating the many ways the image of God is reflected in the diverse people of our church family. In this episode, Benicio shares his experience growing up Catholic, coming out as transgender, finding an LGBTQ-affirming church at First United Methodist Church of San Diego, and discovering what it means to embrace that he was created in God's image.
Inspired by the Bible passage Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, the episode explores:
- Exploring faith through the lived experience of LGBTQ+ Christians
- What "made in the image of God" means for transgender and queer people
- Ecclesiastes 3 and learning to trust God amid uncertainty
- Why conformity is not the same as holiness
- How every person's authentic story reflects the image of God
- The spiritual and emotional impact of being told you don't belong
- The biblical theme of the image of God (Imago Dei) and what it means for all people
This conversation is for you if you're:
- Looking for an affirming Christian perspective on LGBTQ+ faith
- Deconstructing or reconstructing your faith
- Curious about progressive Christianity
- Wrestling with questions about identity and belonging
- Interested in the Bible, theology, and inclusive churches
Reflection Questions
- Where in your life have you been thinking in "either/or" categories? What might become possible if you imagined a wider spectrum of possibilities?
- Ecclesiastes names two extremes, like weeping and laughing, silence and speaking. Where do you find yourself somewhere in between those extremes today? Or perhaps a mixture of both?
- How has someone's story helped you see God, or the image of God, in a way you hadn't seen before?
Continue the Conversation
This episode accompanies our sermon series, Imago Dei 2.0, exploring the many ways God's image is reflected in the people of our church community. Whether you're an LGBTQ+ Christian, an ally, deconstructing your faith, or simply curious about inclusive Christianity, we'd love to continue the conversation:
- Convergence discussion group (Sundays at 12 PM)
- Join our Patreon community
First United Methodist Church of San Diego is an LGBTQ-affirming, progressive Christian congregation committed to justice, inclusion, and spiritual growth.
Timestamps
00:00 Life is richer than our categories
00:00:45 Imago Dei 2.0: Celebrating God's image in everyone
00:04:00 Ecclesiastes, mystery, and trusting God
00:05:32 A transgender Christian's faith journey
00:10:57 How life's seasons transformed faith
00:14:38 Finding the courage to live authentically
00:18:47 What "made in the image of God" means today
00:22:31 LGBTQ+, mental health, and God's unconditional love
00:24:10 Finding an LGBTQ-affirming church community
00:26:07 Reflection questions: Seeing God's image in others
