Fierce debate over transgender election candidate reveals our lack of understanding on this issue

The fierce debate over the National Federation Party’s transgender election candidate, Divina Loloma, has revealed our lack of understanding on this issue.

It has opened up a new world of information on the subject. There is so much being written on it that it can be daunting to try to ascertain what the right position is. There are people like Christian fundamentalist, Pastor Tuiloma Tawaivuna, the leader of the All Peoples Party (APP), who has unequivocally stated that Loloma and the LGBTQI community are “...an abomination to God and the nation”. He has staked his position based on his interpretation of scriptures from the Holy Bible, the text that Christians based their belief on. He is the leader of the 11th Hour Ministry. It will be interesting to know the position of other Christian and non-Christian churches.

The causes of same sex or same-gender attraction are a complex issue. It depends on which organisation you talk to. Some say it is normal and natural, basing it on biological and scientific arguments. Others say it is not, declaring there is no middle ground and it is a sin. However, it is important that we look at it holistically.

Same-sex attraction refers to emotional, physical, or sexual attraction to a person of the same gender. Experience in some religious organisations over the years finds that same-sex attraction is not the same for everyone. Some people may feel exclusively attracted to the same gender, while others may feel attracted to both genders. To shed more light in trying to understand this issue, it is important that we distinguish between same-sex attraction and homosexual behaviour. People who quietly experience same-sex attraction or even identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual may

just have feelings but do not necessarily act on them. It means they do not commit immoral behaviour, like breaking the law of chastity that the Holy Bible refers to and which was alluded to by Pastor Tawaivuna.

Although immoral thoughts are less serious than immoral behaviour, such thoughts also need to be resisted and repented of because we know immoral thoughts (and the less serious feelings that lead to them) can bring about behaviour that is sinful.

The starting block for all Christians is that sexual purity is an essential part of God’s plan for our happiness. Sexual relations are reserved for a man and a woman who are married and promise complete loyalty to each other. Sexual relations between a man and woman who are not married, or between people of the same sex, violate one of God’s most important laws and get in the way of our eternal progress. People of any sexual orientation who violate the law of chastity can be reconciled with God through repentance. We may not know precisely why some people feel attracted to others of the same sex, but for some, it is a complex reality and part of the human experience.

The Saviour, Jesus Christ, whose birth we are celebrating this month, has a perfect understanding of every challenge we experience here on earth, and we can turn to Him for comfort, joy, hope, and direction. No matter what challenges we may face in life, we are all children of God, deserving of each other’s kindness and compassion (Holy Bible, New Testament, Romans 8:16–17). When we create a supportive environment, we build charity and empathy for each other and benefit from our combined perspectives and faith. In the midst of the challenges and choices of mortal life, we are all under the Savior’s commandment to “love one another” (John 15:12, 17).

During this Christmas season we need to be kinder with one another, more gentle and forgiving, slower to anger and more prompt to help. Let’s extend the hand of friendship and resist the hand of retribution. If we are true disciples of Christ, we will love one another with genuine compassion, for that is the way Christ loved us. Kindness, compassion, and love are powerful instruments in strengthening us to carry heavy burdens imposed without any fault of our own and to do what we know to be right.

People may have certain inclinations which are powerful and which may be difficult to control. Most people have inclinations of one kind or another at various times. If they do not act upon these inclinations, then they can go forward. Constitutionally, LGBTQI members have equal rights like the rest of us to participate in elections. Let’s respect those rights.