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OPEN LETTER To Representative Andrew Clyde and to all Members of the United States Congress participating in the intentional misgendering and erasure of transgender individuals

January 27, 2026

 

Issued by: Rev. Paula Josephine Sadler Founding Minister, Universal Rainbow Faith

January 27, 2026

Representative Clyde, and Members of Congress,

I write publicly and unequivocally on behalf of Universal Rainbow Faith, and in my capacity as its Founding Minister, to condemn the recent actions taken by Representative Andrew Clyde and any other Members of Congress who have participated in, supported, or enabled the deliberate misgendering and erasure of transgender individuals, including Congresswoman Sarah McBride, a duly elected member of the United States House of Representatives.

While presiding over proceedings of the House, Representative Clyde deliberately referred to Congresswoman McBride as “the gentleman from Delaware,” despite her being the first openly transgender Woman elected to Congress. This action was later reinforced through public statements asserting that the House “recognizes basic biology.” These actions were neither accidental nor isolated. They represent a conscious decision to deny identity, dignity, and equal recognition from a position of governmental authority.

This conduct is intentional, degrading, and discriminatory.

It is not policy debate. It is not protected disagreement. It is an act of public erasure.

Such conduct constitutes an attack on fundamental freedoms protected by the United States Constitution, including freedom of expression, equal protection under the law, and the free exercise of religion. It also violates the standards of dignity, decorum, and mutual respect required of those entrusted with public office.

Universal Rainbow Faith is a legally established religious body whose sacred doctrine affirms that gender identity and gender expression are holy, spiritual, and inviolable rights. These beliefs are not symbolic or rhetorical. They are integral to our worship, our religious practice, and our understanding of divine creation.

When elected officials intentionally deny a person’s gender identity, they do not merely target an individual. They infringe upon the religious liberty of millions of Americans whose faith traditions recognize gender diversity as a sacred expression of human and divine truth. Such actions directly conflict with the protections guaranteed under the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Furthermore, intentional misgendering by Members of Congress contributes to a climate of hostility and exclusion toward transgender and gender-diverse people — a community already facing disproportionate levels of harassment, discrimination, and violence. Words spoken from positions of power are never neutral. They shape culture, influence law, and impact lives.

In response to these actions, Universal Rainbow Faith has formally issued a Proclamation of Sacred Solidarity and Religious Protection affirming Congresswoman Sarah McBride and all transgender people serving in government, public service, and civic life. This Proclamation declares, under the full spiritual authority of our Church, that gender identity and gender expression—including name, pronouns, titles, and presentation—are sacred religious rights protected by our doctrine and by the Constitution of the United States. This Proclamation stands as an official act of faith, solidarity, and religious witness, and it places all Members of Congress on notice that intentional misgendering and erasure constitute violations of religious freedom as understood and practiced by Universal Rainbow Faith.

Accordingly, Universal Rainbow Faith formally and publicly demands the following:

  1. That Representative Andrew Clyde issue an immediate, direct, and unequivocal public apology to Congresswoman Sarah McBride;

  2. That all Members of Congress engaging in or endorsing intentional misgendering immediately cease this conduct and publicly acknowledge the harm it causes; and

  3. That Congress reaffirm its commitment to upholding constitutional protections and religious freedom for all Americans, including transgender and gender-diverse people.

Democracy depends on disagreement conducted with dignity. Dehumanization is not governance. The freedom to exist, to worship, to serve, and to be recognized as one truly is are not privileges granted by elected officials — they are inalienable rights.

Universal Rainbow Faith will continue to defend the sacred dignity of transgender people, the religious liberty of our community, and the foundational principle that no Member of Congress has the authority to deny another person’s humanity or faith.

We await public accountability, corrective action, and a clear recommitment to constitutional and religious principles.

Respectfully,

Rev. Paula Josephine Sadler

Founding Minister

Universal Rainbow Faith

 

 

 

 

Delivery & Contact Information

Representative Andrew Clyde (GA-09) – Contact Info

Washington, D.C. Office445 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515Phone: (202) 225-9893Fax: (202) 226-1224Website: https://clyde.house.gov (Contact form available) 

District Office (Gainesville, GA)210 Washington St. NW, Suite 202Gainesville, GA 30501Phone: (470) 768-6520 

U.S. House of Representatives Switchboard Phone: (202) 224-3121

Email/Online Contact: Use the “Write Your Rep” form on his official website: https://clyde.house.gov/forms/writeyourrep/



Proclamation



January 27, 2026

PROCLAMATION OF SACRED SOLIDARITY, RELIGIOUS PROTECTION, AND AFFIRMATION

Issued by Universal Rainbow Faith

WHEREAS, Universal Rainbow Faith is a legally established religious body whose sacred doctrine affirms that gender identity and gender expression are holy, spiritual, and inviolable religious rights, bestowed by the Divine and protected under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act; and

WHEREAS, this doctrine explicitly includes the sacred right to one’s name, pronouns, attire, titles, and public expression as essential components of religious identity and spiritual integrity; and

WHEREAS, transgender and gender-diverse people have faithfully served — and continue to serve — the United States as elected officials, federal employees, civil servants, diplomats, military service members, veterans, and public servants, offering their talents, leadership, and devotion to the common good; and

WHEREAS, recent acts of intentional misgendering, erasure, and denial of identity by government officials constitute not only personal harm, but a direct infringement upon religious freedom, dignity, and constitutional protections; and

WHEREAS, Congresswoman Sarah McBride, as the first openly transgender Woman elected to the United States Congress, stands not only as an individual officeholder, but as a representative symbol of transgender people’s rightful place in democratic governance and public life;

THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED:

  1. Universal Rainbow Faith formally declares its full spiritual solidarity with Congresswoman Sarah McBride, affirming her name, pronouns, gender identity, and expression as sacred and inviolable under our religious doctrine.

  2. Universal Rainbow Faith affirms and blesses all transgender and gender-diverse people serving at the federal level, including:

    • Members of Congress and elected officials

    • Federal employees and civil servants

    • Active-duty military personnel and veterans

    • Retired federal workers and public servants

Their service is recognized as honorable, sacred, and worthy of full respect.

  1. Universal Rainbow Faith affirms all transgender citizens of the United States, declaring that their identities are not subject to debate, denial, or erasure by any government official, institution, or authority.

  2. Universal Rainbow Faith explicitly upholds the sacred religious right of its members and all transgender people to:

    • Use their chosen names

    • Be addressed by correct pronouns

    • Express gender through dress, titles, and appearance

    • Live and serve openly without coercion or humiliation

Any attempt to deny these rights constitutes religious discrimination under our faith.

  1. Universal Rainbow Faith invokes the full spiritual authority of the Church in defense of these rights and declares that intentional misgendering, forced erasure, or denial of identity represents a violation of our sacred doctrine and an infringement upon religious liberty.

  2. Universal Rainbow Faith calls upon all governmental bodies and officials to recognize and respect these religious protections, and to cease any actions that undermine the constitutional and spiritual rights of transgender people.

LET IT BE KNOWN:

Universal Rainbow Faith will continue to:

  • Defend transgender people through religious doctrine, public witness, and moral authority

  • Stand with those who serve courageously despite hostility or discrimination

  • Name violations of religious freedom wherever they occur

  • Offer sanctuary, affirmation, and spiritual protection to all who seek it

This Proclamation is issued as an act of faith, conscience, and sacred duty.

Issued this day, January 27, 2026

Rev. Paula Josephine Sadler

Founding Minister Universal Rainbow Faith

 
 
 

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