A sermon by trans Episcopal priest Flourish Klink has sparked a global conversation about faith, gender and inclusion after clips from a service delivered earlier this year resurfaced online and went viral this week.
The sermon, originally preached in March during a celebration of trans joy and resilience at New York’s Cathedral Church of St John the Divine, gained renewed attention after extracts were shared by conservative media outlets and social media accounts.
In the sermon, Klink, a non-binary and trans priest serving at Christ & St Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Manhattan, reflected on God as existing beyond human concepts of gender and offered a personal theological interpretation of Jesus’ resurrection.
“I think Jesus was not only transfigured. I think Jesus transitioned,” they said, describing the idea as their own understanding of scripture and faith.
The remarks prompted criticism from some conservative commentators, with social media users accusing the priest of departing from traditional Christian teaching. Clips of the sermon amassed millions of views as debate spread across X and other platforms.
But rather than responding angrily to the backlash, Klink has taken a markedly different approach. In an Instagram post this week, the priest wrote: “One thing social media is really good for is the opportunity to send love to all your haters.”
They continued: “What a blessing to get to see folks at their worst and know that God loves them anyway!”
The post struck a conciliatory tone, with Klink expressing a willingness to engage in respectful discussion while rejecting online abuse. “As always, I’m very happy to discuss my opinions and beliefs with anyone who cares to have a serious, non-abusive conversation,” they wrote.
“I’m sure I’m not right about everything; how can any of us know the mind of God?”
The priest also encouraged followers to turn to biblical teachings when navigating disagreements over theology and doctrine, citing passages from Matthew’s Gospel and the letters of St Paul.
For many LGBTQ+ Christians, the reaction to the sermon has highlighted the growing visibility of trans people within religious spaces and the continuing debate over inclusion in modern Christianity.
Supporters argue that Klink’s reflections are part of a long tradition of Christians wrestling with questions of identity, embodiment and transformation. They have also praised the priest’s response to criticism, noting that the message focused on compassion rather than confrontation.
The Episcopal Church is among the most LGBTQ+-affirming Christian denominations in the United States and has supported LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriage for many years. Klink is also involved in trans advocacy within the church and has worked on projects promoting more inclusive language in worship.
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