Methodist Pastor Talks About Transition

A Methodist priest in Portland, Ore., revealed to his congregation that a decade before he became a pastor, he made the transition from being female to male.

The Reverend David Weekley made the announcement at the Epworth United Methodist Church on Sunday. According to The Oregonian, he decided to share his story after listening to accounts by Japanese American survivors of World War II internment camps in Idaho.

"I knew I was a boy," Weekley said of growing up as a girl near Cleveland, Ohio. "I found my brother's first Holy Communion suit in the linen closet. It fit perfectly. I wore it all the time."

Weekley also told the congregation about his transition in 1974-1975, before going to graduate school. He was ordained in 1982. Weekley lives with his wife, Deborah, and together they have five adult children.

Bishop Robert T. Hoshibata, leader of the Oregon-Idaho United Methodist Conference, applauded Weekley's sermon. Hoshibata said in a statement that the pastor "is choosing now to share this earlier part of his life journey honestly and openly. This decision does not, in any way, change his faith or his commitment to the ministry to which he was ordained, nor does it change his status as an elder in good standing. I prayerfully ask that his congregation, his colleagues, and the United Methodist Church continue to uphold him and his family at this time."