A 51-year-old preacher in Rochester, New York, stunned her congregation last Sunday when she publicly announced she is transitioning and will now live as a woman. The pastor, formerly known as Rev. Phillip Phaneuf of the North Chili United Methodist Church, said during the sermon that she now identifies as transgender and asexual — and asked parishioners to call her by the name Phillippa Phaneuf and use she/her pronouns moving forward.
Standing at the pulpit wrapped in a rainbow stole, she told worshippers: “I’m not becoming a woman; I’m giving up pretending to be a man.” She shared that she has already been undergoing hormone therapy for several months and that changes to her appearance, voice, and hairstyle are expected.
Phaneuf said this revelation was necessary because the transformation could no longer stay private — affirming that while ministry roles will remain unchanged, transparency was essential for her community. She described the move as an act of honesty and faith, inviting the congregation into what she called “a season of creative transformation.”
She also acknowledged the personal cost of her decision: her parents oppose the transition and asked her to share their disapproval with the congregation. Despite that, she said the majority of her church family and leadership have responded with support, indicating that she will continue her pastoral duties without interruption.
Phaneuf’s announcement comes as her denomination has formally recognized transgender clergy. She expressed hope that her journey will help make her church a more welcoming place for people who feel marginalized — and asked for grace, patience, and understanding as both she and her congregation adjust to this new chapter.