The Bible is full of deadnames!

Happy Thursday, Meteor readers,

If you’re reading this, it means you’ve officially lived through the most humid summer on record. Congratulations, and may your favorite anti-frizz creams stay forever in stock (mine hasn’t 😭).

In today’s newsletter, our resident Gemini, Bailey Wayne Hundl, dusts off her Bible to find where exactly it says that teachers cannot call trans students by their correct names. Plus, some Caitlin Clark appreciation and your weekend reading list.

Sweatin’,

Shannon Melero

WHAT’S GOING ON

Say my name, say my name: On Monday, a Trump-appointed judge ruled that a lawsuit filed by an Ohio teacher offended by her trans students may proceed to trial. The backstory: Vivian Geraghty, a middle school English teacher, had objected to calling trans students by their chosen names in 2022, claiming that as a Christian, asking her to do so forced her to “work under conditions that offend her religious beliefs.”

A teacher’s union rep suggested she just use the students’ last names, but Geraghty refused and said she “would like those students removed from the classroom.” (Very teacherly thing to do. Very loving. It’s giving Psalm 127:3.) She also claimed that using these students’ preferred names would be “damaging” to them, despite both students’ parents supporting their decisions to transition. The school asked her to resign, she sued, and thanks to the recent ruling, her case can proceed.

But as a former seminarian, here’s what I want to know: Is the use of chosen names so incompatible with Christian beliefs?

In reality, the Christian faith has a proud tradition of renaming. Pretty much all your biblical faves have a deadname. At many points throughout the Bible, a character starts going by a new name (often given to them directly from God) to signal a significant change to their identity. For instance, in Genesis 17:5, God tells Abram to start going by Abraham, meaning “father of multitudes,” after blessing him with countless descendants. And he listened! We all did. I don’t remember singing “Father Abram” growing up.

Over and over, the Christian faith recognizes the importance of names to reflect a person’s lived experiences. And it recognizes that over time, those experiences change—and with them, our identities. Is that not exactly what trans people are invoking when they decide to rename themselves?

And let’s not forget: There are transgender people who practice the Christian faith—you’re reading the words of one right now. Many progressive churches actually hold renaming ceremonies/celebrations for their trans congregants.⁠ Asking if transness is incompatible with Christianity is like asking if we really need another Marvel movie: Doesn’t matter what you think. They’re already doing it, girl.

At any rate, the case will proceed to trial, but it’s clear that the integrity of Geraghty’s religious beliefs are not the true issue here; transphobia is. And transphobes are not a protected class.

—Bailey Wayne Hundl

AND:

• As plans for a ceasefire in Gaza are being ironed out, the Israeli military has launched the largest raids in 20 years in the West Bank, home to 80,000 Palestinians. Israel’s Foreign Affairs Minister wrote about the planned raids on X, saying that the West Bank must be handled the same way as was the “terrorist infrastructure in Gaza.” One Palestinian living in the West Bank told Democracy Now that the attacks are an extension of the “ethnic cleansing” still taking place in Gaza.

• The Supreme Court has rejected a request from the Biden administration to lift the temporary pause on the SAVE student loan forgiveness program, which would have created lower payments for millions of borrowers and complete debt erasure for hundreds of thousands. The plan, which has been challenged by GOP-led states, will have to continue to make its way through lower appeals courts. Relatedly, women hold 64 percent of the country’s student loan debt.

• There is now an official Barbie Phone and it’s not a forthcoming Christmas toy for the little ones. It’s a fully functioning flip phone designed for those looking to disconnect from social media apps which sounds like a great idea, but is it worth having to type out text messages in T9?? My thumbs already hurt.

• Last night, WNBA star Caitlin Clark broke the record for most three-pointers in a rookie season by scoring her 86th in a game against the Connecticut Sun. The previous record was held by Rhyne Howard, who made 85 three-pointers during her 2022 rookie season.

• And while we’re on the topic of iconic sportswomen, Olympic bronze medalist Ilona Maher can now add Sports Illustrated swimsuit model to her resume. WEERRKKKK!!!

WEEKEND READING 📚

On preservation: A global network of librarians is working together to prevent further destruction of Palestine’s cultural heritage and information centers. (Truthout)

On “gender testing:” Imane Khalif wasn’t the first and won’t be the last cis-gendered woman of color to get caught in the vast and sinister net cast by gender policing and testing in sports. (The 19th)

On the apocalypse: More people are buying underground hideouts to prepare for the end of the world. (The New Yorker)

On resting: It’s time you learned about “empty brain hours.” (Teen Vogue)

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