NYC Priest Claims Jesus Was Transgender, God Nonbinary in Controversial Sermon

A New York City Episcopal priest, Father Flourish Klink, has ignited controversy with a sermon asserting that Jesus Christ was transgender and that God is nonbinary. Klink, who identifies as nonbinary and transgender, delivered these remarks during a service at Christ & St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on the Upper West Side.

"God is nonbinary," Klink stated in a clip of the sermon shared online. "But I’m going to go further than that, and I’m going to say God is actually also trans."

Klink, who uses "they/elle/hen" pronouns, drew a parallel between the experience of transgender individuals and the nature of God. The priest explained that just as people realize their gender assigned at birth may not align with their inner selves, God's perceived gender could also be fluid. "When God, who – as we have established is nonbinary – was born in human form as our Lord Jesus Christ, Mary said, ‘Oh look, a baby boy,'" Klink said, before adding, "God isn’t a boy, we have established this. God is beyond boy and girl. God was assigned a gender at birth, and later on it became clear that that gender wasn’t right."

Klink further suggested that Jesus's life and post-resurrection appearance were evidence of being transgender. The priest pointed to Jesus's unconventional relationships with women, his lack of marriage, and the disciples' initial failure to recognize him after the resurrection as indicators of a gender identity beyond male or female. "I think Jesus was resurrected as Jesus’ true self, which is beyond male or female. I think Jesus was not only transfigured; I think Jesus transitioned," Klink concluded.

The sermon has generated significant backlash, with many online commenters expressing outrage and questioning the theological basis of Klink's statements. Some referenced biblical passages, such as the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary about the birth of a son, to dispute the priest's interpretation.

Klink's remarks echo sentiments previously expressed by Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, who in 2021 stated that God is nonbinary. Talarico, then a state representative, has since backtracked on some of his past statements as he campaigns for the Senate. He clarified that his intention was to suggest that human categories cannot define God, a concept he noted has theological precedents.