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Methodist Pastor Announces Gender Transition: "I'm Giving Up Pretending to Be a Man"

04:12 PM, 12/03/2025
Methodist Pastor Announces Gender Transition: "I'm Giving Up Pretending to Be a Man"

Rev. Phillip Phaneuf, a 51-year-old pastor at North Chili United Methodist Church in Rochester, announced on Nov. 23 that she is transitioning and identifies as asexual. She will go by Phillippa and use she/her pronouns; hormone replacement therapy has been underway for three months. Phaneuf said her congregation and denominational leaders have been supportive, though her parents do not back the decision. The United Methodist Church recently revised its policies to more affirmingly include LGBTQ+ persons.

Rev. Phillip Phaneuf, a 51-year-old pastor at North Chili United Methodist Church in Rochester, announced during the Nov. 23 Sunday service that she is transitioning and now identifies as asexual.

Speaking from the pulpit while wearing a rainbow stole, Phaneuf told the congregation, "So I get to announce with joy that I’m transitioning. I’m affirming to all of you that I am transgender." She added, "The best way to put this is that I’m not becoming a woman, I’m giving up pretending to be a man. This is a process, and it may be shocking for some as to what this all means."

"I’m in the category of what they call asexual. I’ve been that way since we’ve all been together, in that I am not living my life in a way that involves looking for romance."

Phaneuf said she will change her name to Phillippa and use she/her pronouns. She confirmed that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been underway for the past three months and that changes to her appearance, voice and hair are expected as the process continues.

Phaneuf told reporters that the congregation's response has been overwhelmingly supportive. "Since coming out to my congregation, they have been overwhelmingly affirming!" she said. She also said the bishop and church leadership were consulted before the announcement and have expressed support, and that her pastoral duties will continue unchanged. "What will stay the same is my deepening love for all of you," she told the congregation.

Phaneuf also shared that her parents do not support her decision. She said during the service, "They asked me to tell you all that they do not support me. They asked me to tell you this."

Last year, the United Methodist Church revised policies to remove prior prohibitions against LGBTQ+ identities and moved toward official affirmation. The denomination now states that it affirms human sexuality "as a sacred gift" and that this affirmation applies regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The church has emphasized a commitment to care for and welcome LGBTQ+ persons in its communities.

Phaneuf’s announcement highlights ongoing conversations within faith communities about gender, identity and inclusion. She said she intends to continue serving her congregation throughout the transition.

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