We are petitioning regarding the policy from “Policy and Complementary Norms on Sexual Identity in School Ministries of the Roman Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis” which excludes transgender students from Archdiocesan schools. As a Catholic community, we believe that the dignity of the human person is of the utmost importance and aspire to treat individuals from all walks of life with respect and compassion. 

According to a study from the Trevor Project, 35% of transgender youth have attempted suicide in the past year compared with 7% percent of cisgender students that have attempted suicide. We fear that this new policy from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis will have a dangerous effect on the mental health of transgender youth. 

In this policy, it states that individuals who identify as transgender are made in the image and likeness of God and therefore are deserving of dignity. However, to exclude individuals based on their identity does not send the message that they are children of God, no matter what the policy states. 

James 2: 2-4 states “For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” 

While this policy does not make distinctions based off of wealth, it does make distinctions based off of identity. No matter what the opinions of the Catholic Church are on the moral justification of changing one’s gender, we feel it is not our place to make distinctions. 

We ask that the Archdiocese reform this policy to be inclusive rather than exclusive. At a time where there is so much turmoil in this world and youth are already overburdened with their choices and responsibilities, what is essential from Catholic leadership is support rather than discrimination. As stated in Romans 2:11, “God shows no partiality”. 

Educators have the responsibility to provide insight and guidance to every student. Jesus consistently associated himself with individuals who were ostracized by society. To exclude children looking for support and comfort in the Catholic faith is contrary to the teachings of the Church and Jesus.

We have included a list of names of people who disagree with the Archdiocese of Indianapolis’ policy surrounding the expulsion of transgender students. 

Matthew 25:45 says “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me”. What are we doing to God when we exclude his children from our community?