New York pastor reveals transgender transition plans during church service

A Methodist minister in New York final week revealed plans to transition into a lady, saying the 51-year-old now identifies as asexual.

Rev. Phillip Phaneuf of North Chili United Methodist Church in Rochester made the announcement throughout a Sunday service on Nov. 23. The private replace was given from the pulpit whereas carrying a rainbow stole.

“So I am glad to announce that I am transferring,” Phaneuf mentioned. “I verify to all of you that I’m transgender. The easiest way to say that is that I’m not changing into a lady, I’m giving up pretending to be a person. It is a course of and it might be stunning to some what this all means.”

Phaneuf added that the pastor’s sexuality is now asexual, an orientation through which an individual experiences little or no sexual attraction to others.

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Phil Phaneuf wears a blonde wig and make-up. (Phil Phaneuf/Fb)

“I fall into the class of what they name asexual,” Phaneuf mentioned. “I have been that means since we have all been collectively, within the sense that I do not stay my life in a means that entails searching for romance.”

Phaneuf mentioned the identify can be modified to Phillippa, and the popular pronouns can be she/her. Hormone substitute remedy has been on for the previous three months, Phaneuf confirmed, and modifications in look, voice and hair are anticipated.

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Phil Phaneuf holds a Sunday service in Rochester, New York on November 23, 2025. (Phil Phaneuf/Fb)

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Phaneuf instructed Fox Information Digital on Tuesday that the small print of the transition course of are correct and that the group has been extraordinarily welcoming.

“Since they got here to my church, they’ve affirmed it overwhelmingly!” Phaneuf mentioned.

The pastor mentioned the bishop, the church and theology help the transition, noting that the bishop was consulted earlier than the announcement and that any pastoral duties on the church won’t be affected. “What is going to stay the identical is my rising love for all of you,” Phaneuf mentioned.

Nevertheless, the 51-year-old’s mother and father don’t help the choice. “They requested me to let you know all that they do not help me,” Phaneuf introduced in the course of the sermon. “They requested me to let you know this.”

Phil Phaneuf revealed throughout a Sunday service that the pastor will flip into a lady. (Phil Phaneuf/Fb)

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The United Methodist Church final 12 months rolled again guidelines that condemned LGBTQ+ identities in the neighborhood, in keeping with its official web site. The UMC now affirms human sexuality “as a sacred present” and says it “applies to all individuals no matter sexual orientation or gender id,” in keeping with its official web site.

“The United Methodist Church is dedicated to befriending and caring for all individuals, together with LGBTQ people in our church buildings and communities,” the assertion mentioned.