When Owen Gibbs stepped onto the dais at the 226th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in July 2024, a silence fell over the gathered church leaders and delegates. At just 16 years old, Owen, a transgender teenager from Salt Lake City, Utah, carried the weight of more than his own story: he spoke for countless LGBTQIA+ individuals navigating their faith in a world often marked by exclusion. His testimony was heartfelt, candid and undeniably courageous.
“Living true to myself in this state can suck,” Owen said to the assembly. “Being queer is hard no matter where you are, but being queer in Utah is a special type of difficult.”
Nearly a year later, Owen’s words resonate powerfully, urging the PC(USA) toward greater inclusivity, bolstered by the International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31 and the recent ratification of Amendment 24-A by a majority of presbyteries. For the first time, Amendment 24-A makes gender identity and sexual orientation part of the anti-discrimination clause in the constitution of the PC(USA).
Owen described the unique challenges of life in his home state, where conservative religious influences and restrictive legislation combine to create a difficult environment, especially for transgender youth. For many in the assembly, Owen’s testimony was a vivid reminder of the urgency behind item POL-01, which the assembly would overwhelmingly approve 389-24 and then present to the presbyteries for a vote as Amendment 24-A.
Slats Toole, co-moderator of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians board, reflected on the amendment’s importance: “The passing of 24-A is a sure sign of the progress we have made as a denomination. We have moved from being a church largely ignorant about gender identity to one that values all gender identities as part of our denomination.”
The Rev. Claudia Aguilar, director of engagement for More Light Presbyterians (MLP), said, “While we acknowledge there is much work to do to achieve equality and justice for our LGBTQIA+ siblings in our denomination, we celebrate the passing of Amendment 24-A as a step towards healing communities that have long been discriminated against. We will continue working so that one day every person is celebrated for who they are and thrives.”
Jesy Littlejohn, director of operations for MLP and the Outlook’s social media producer, added, “[T]he passing of 24-A is long overdue. We have made great progress in how welcoming and hospitable we are in our churches and in the PC(USA) as a whole. Now, however, we are affirming that we are committed not just to inclusion but to protection. There is skin in the game, there are promises made. That means something.”
Owen’s journey underscores precisely why denominational affirmations like Amendment 24-A (previously known as POL-01 and the Olympia Overture) matter.
Owen’s journey underscores precisely why such denominational affirmations matter. From a very young age, he knew something fundamental about his identity didn’t align with others’ expectations. He recounted a particularly telling memory from when he was only 4 years old, during bedtime prayers with his mother. Innocently yet earnestly, Owen asked God for “boy parts.” While Owen finds it humorous in hindsight, the moment was profoundly significant — it revealed that his first instinct was to turn to God for understanding and support, a theme of faith and resilience that would carry him in the years ahead.
Growing up, Owen found crucial support within his Presbyterian community at First Presbyterian Church of Salt Lake City. At 11 years old, after hearing stories of rejection faced by other queer youth, Owen summoned the courage to ask his Sunday school teacher directly if being gay was sinful. The clear and unwavering response, “Hell no,” provided him a powerful foundation of acceptance. It was this environment of affirmation, rare as it was precious, that Owen credits with giving him strength when he came out as transgender at 12.
Initially, Owen’s parents were concerned about how their church would respond. But, to their relief, First Presbyterian proved unequivocally supportive. “The same kids I had been friends with in Sunday school are still my friends now,” Owen shared. “The same old ladies who would ask me questions about school and give me candy at church parties still do that.” His experiences stand as a powerful counter-narrative to the broader cultural tendency toward exclusion.
The Rev. Jamie White, pastor at First Presbyterian, affirmed Owen’s experience, noting the church’s intentional shift toward inclusivity during her tenure. “We have LGBTQ+ people on our church staff, serving as elders, deacons, and volunteering in every area of ministry,” she said. “Our queer siblings are just a regular and normal part of our family. They’re not tokenized, marginalized or put on a pedestal.”
White’s leadership and Owen’s presence embody an inclusive faith community’s practical realities and hopeful possibilities.
Yet, even within supportive environments, Owen’s journey hasn’t been without hardship. At 13, he received a birthday card from his grandfather inscribed with his deadname — the name given to a person at birth but no longer used by a transgender person as they take on a new name as they transition their gender identity. His grandfather added admonishments against “following teen trends” and spiritual rebukes. Another painful incident occurred at a friend’s party, where Owen endured repeated hateful slurs. These episodes reveal the persistent challenges and prejudices transgender youth face, even from within their own families and social circles.
Despite these painful experiences, Owen’s spirit remains remarkably resilient. His hope and faith remain anchored in love and community, reinforced by his supportive family and affirming congregation. At GA, his message was clear and compelling: “Every queer person deserves the kind of love and support that I’ve received.”
Reflecting nearly a year later, Owen acknowledges the harsh political realities that have targeted transgender youth. Rather than retreat, he draws renewed strength from his faith and community. Invited recently to deliver a sermon at his church’s Youth Sunday, he wrestled deeply with responding to hostility not in kind, but with the radical love exemplified by Christ.
“Love is so strong, but love seems really, really hard right now,” Owen said. “But I think it’s just even more important to show them, ‘Hey, I’m not going to respond to you the way you respond to me.’ I can be better than that. I can live in Christ.” His maturity and wisdom underscore his resolve to practice love despite rejection and prejudice.
Brian Ellison, executive director of the Covenant Network, echoed this sentiment, recalling Owen’s impact on the General Assembly: “Owen’s story was breathtakingly Spirit-filled. By sharing a positive story of a supportive church, Owen called us to task, to recommit ourselves to this essential work with newfound assurance.”
“Our faith in Christ calls us to love one another … so that’s what we need to do: love big, love proud, and love in the name of the God who did whatever it took to make sure we knew we are all the beloved children of God.” — Owen Gibbs
In the wake of International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, and as awareness and acceptance of transgender individuals continue to grow and become more normalized, Owen’s ongoing advocacy and testimony inspire a broader conversation about inclusion within the PC(USA). Beyond his activism, Owen has found expression of his identity and emotions through music. Envisioning a future in music production, he participates actively in community radio, which provides a platform to connect and foster deeper understanding across diverse communities.
Owen’s story and advocacy ultimately crystallize around a profound call to love. His closing words at the General Assembly encapsulate the spirit of his message and the future he envisions for the church: “Our faith in Christ calls us to love one another … so that’s what we need to do: love big, love proud, and love in the name of the God who did whatever it took to make sure we knew we are all the beloved children of God.”
