Transgender Pastor Advocates for Inclusive Church, Challenges Traditional Biblical Interpretations

Drew Stever, a Lutheran pastor in Hollywood, seeks to create a welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community by reinterpreting scripture for modern times.

Drew Stever, an ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is working to make the church more inclusive for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Stever, who identifies as a transgender man, emphasizes that the Bible was not written for the year 2024, advocating for a contemporary understanding of scripture.
The pastor's journey includes transitioning during seminary and facing challenges, including online threats, while promoting acceptance within the church.
Stever extends apologies to marginalized groups who feel overlooked by the church, affirming their inherent worth and goodness independent of religious validation.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church has shown increasing acceptance of LGBTQ+ clergy, with Stever being part of a growing number of transgender ministers.