Can you be transgender and Christian?

What happens when a megachurch pastor comes out as trans?

And why is she now running for public office?

In this powerful episode of You Can Be Both, host Lauren Lanzaretta sits down with Joanna Whaley, a former evangelical megachurch pastor who was outed, fired, and subjected to 15 years of conversion therapy — and is now running for the Michigan House of Representatives.

Joanna shares:

• What 15 years of conversion therapy did to her mental health

• The real experience of gender dysphoria

• What it felt like to lose her job after being outed

• Why she still identifies as a Christian

• How Christian nationalism impacts LGBTQ people

• Her response to rhetoric from Donald Trump and the rise of anti-trans legislation

• Why she believes we’re in a “100-year battle” for LGBTQ inclusion in the church

• Why she's running for Michigan House of Representatives

Joanna previously served at one of America’s largest megachurches, including Life Church, and holds a seminary degree focused on liberation and queer theology.

Today, she works as a clinical chaplain and advocates for LGBTQ+ Christians seeking faith without shame.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• Is being LGBTQ a sin?

• What does the Bible really say about trans people?

• Can you follow Jesus and affirm queer identities?

• How do you survive coming out in evangelical spaces?

This conversation is for you.

💬 “You are not a problem for God.”

That message alone could change someone’s life.

⸻

📌 Resources Mentioned

• LGBTQ Healing & Resource Guide: https://www.laurenlanzaretta.com/youcanbeboth

• Support Joanna’s campaign: https://www.joannawhaley.com/

If this episode encouraged you, don’t forget to:

👍 Like

🔔 Subscribe

📤 Share with someone who needs hope

You can be LGBTQ. You can love Jesus. You don’t have to choose.

#TransChristian #LGBTQFaith #Exvangelical #ChristianNationalism #GenderDysphoria #ConversionTherapy #ProgressiveChristianity #FaithAndPolitics #QueerTheology #MichiganPolitics