When Humor Speaks the Truth: A Response to Alexandra Billings and the Sacred Journey of Transgender Souls

By Rev. Paula Sadler

Founder & Founding Minister Universal Rainbow Faith Church

Recently, acclaimed actress, educator, activist, and transgender pioneer Alexandra Billings shared a Facebook post that resonated with hundreds of people. It read:

"Since my government has decided that being Trans is a choice, I'm going back to being a dude. As a 63-year-old Trans Woman, I have to admit: I'm pooped!"

At first glance, it is funny. The humor is unmistakable. Yet beneath the wit lies something much deeper—fatigue, resilience, frustration, and the emotional weight that so many transgender people have been carrying.

Reading through the comments, I found a mixture of love, encouragement, laughter, empathy, and shared exhaustion. Some thanked Alexandra for continuing to be a visible voice. Others related to feeling emotionally drained. Many simply expressed love and gratitude for her courage throughout the decades.

That is the power of authenticity.

Sometimes humor says what our hearts have been trying to say all along.

Although not every transgender person experiences these feelings in the same way, there is a very real sense among many within our community that uncertainty, fear, misunderstanding, and relentless public debate have become emotionally exhausting. Millions of lives have been affected by policies, rhetoric, rejection, discrimination, and the simple burden of having one's humanity continually questioned.

I wanted Alexandra to know that her voice matters.

I also wanted those reading her post—and perhaps quietly hurting themselves—to know that they are seen.

With love and light, I offer my response.

My Response

Gender is not constrained to a physical body. There are many who do not understand that who we are, who each human being is, is by far vastly greater than any human understanding.

For those of faith, of any faith at all, that believe in their God or gods, their religion, they believe in things that they have not seen. Maybe they have experienced to a degree, and maybe some claim to see and to have direct knowledge or vision or inspiration. There is no one in the world who can judge or completely understand the journey of each individual soul.

And as for transgender people, and gender in general, for all of humanity, whether male or female or non-binary or transgender or gay or lesbian, these are deep aspects of the spiritual self, and they physically manifest in body, mind, and spirit. These are divinely ordered. All of who we are is divinely ordered, whether it is accepted or not.

Even for those who are atheistic or agnostic, they have a soul which has been divinely ordered. They may deny it and not understand it, but it doesn't make it any less true.

And so, unfortunately, we live in a world where there is fierce misunderstanding, and many people live in judgment, in a wrong judgment of themselves and others, and misunderstanding of themselves and others at the very core and deepest levels. They only think they have the answers and know the way and what is right for another human being.

Many people do not understand that gender and sexuality are beyond human understanding. We can only judge and quantify the physical experience, the anatomy, and even then it blows the minds of doctors and scientists why people are born certain ways, or with ambiguous anatomy, and many different kinds of ways of being. They still do not fully understand and may never. That is between God and the individual soul.

And for those who cling so tightly and so fiercely to a version of Christianity which claims that LGBTQ people or transgender people are some kind of sin or abomination or not right, they have fallen far from the path of their chosen faith, and most will not know this until they have passed on and meet their Maker.

They need to focus on their own life, what is right for them, and not force their way of life onto others. Because God is love, and God does not force Him or Herself onto others. God does not demand anything. God is not waiting to punish. God is always only ready to love, support, and guide each soul on its journey throughout eternity.

The most important people on the planet to be able to understand being transgender are transgender people, and if anyone wants to know, they simply must ask and open their hearts and minds to have empathy and understanding and truly listen.

We are being ushered into a new understanding and a new experience with being human and spiritual and divine.

If there are any transgender people or non-binary people out there that do not feel loved or accepted, you are most certainly loved. You are loved unconditionally by the Divine, and you are loved eternally, and you are accepted by this Divine Creator exactly as you are. And most certainly there is a home for you in the heavens because this is where you came from, and your life will not be in vain. The suffering you have endured is the cause of teaching humanity unconditional love, compassion, grace, and empathy, and you will be rewarded greatly for your suffering.

And for those who have caused your suffering, there will be atonement. But know that your souls are beautifully made. No one can ever take this away. There is no torture, no death, no humiliation, no violence against you that will ever destroy your soul.

Remember, God is watching. Pray and ask for guidance and direction and protection.

I love you. I truly 100% unconditionally love you.

When the world has turned against you, know that I love you, and there are millions—indeed billions—of people on this planet that love and accept you. Out of 8.5 billion people, know that you are loved, and there is a safe place for everyone.

We pray for blessings upon the transgender community in the United States and everywhere in the world, and for all non-binary people, for all gay and lesbian people, to be lifted up and protected, to feel secure and happy and joyful in their person, to love freely, to express the Divinity that is within, and to overcome the evil that has come against them in the form of others' judgment, in the name of love or in the name of God, through false virtue, false Christianity, and false faith.

May we break the chains that have bound us.

And so it is.

Amen.

A Reflection on the Conversation: Compassion, Humor, and Misunderstanding

As I continued reading through the hundreds of comments beneath Alexandra Billings' Facebook post, I was reminded that social media often becomes a mirror reflecting both the best and the worst of humanity.

There was laughter.

There was compassion.

There was solidarity.

There was misunderstanding.

And, sadly, there was cruelty.

Some of the comments reflected exactly the kind of love and empathy our world needs.

One person wrote:

"Your soul will never change and I'll always see who you are beyond any physical appearance or gender label."

That statement speaks to a truth that resonates deeply with me. The soul transcends the labels we give one another. It reminds us that our deepest identity is not confined to appearances alone.

Another commenter simply affirmed:

"It's who you are, don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Another shared words of empathy:

"I don't know the struggle but I can imagine and I'm tired for you... I'm so very sorry you have to go through all of this."

Others responded with humor that matched Alexandra's own spirit:

"Thank you so much for my first laugh of the day."

"Maybe I should become a dude too, being cis can be boring."

One woman proudly declared:

"At 67 I have been a transsexual since 19. No going back!"

Another wrote:

"Becoming trans was my realization of freedom."

These comments remind us that visibility creates community. Sometimes one person's honesty gives another person permission to breathe.

Unfortunately, not every response reflected understanding.

One commenter wrote:

"Uh, it is a choice. Kinda like how taking heroin is a choice."

Another commented:

"How you deal with reality is up to you... Everyone else isn't required to pander to it."

Still another attempted humor by posting:

"Remember, just because you're... ugly doesn't mean you're another gender."

These words reveal something important—not about transgender people, but about the fear, misunderstanding, and judgment that still exist within our society.

When we reduce another human being to ridicule, we stop listening.

When we compare someone's identity to addiction, we stop seeking understanding.

When we mock another person's humanity, we move farther away from compassion.

This is exactly why conversations like Alexandra Billings' matter.

Humor can expose pain.

Satire can reveal injustice.

A simple Facebook post can become a catalyst for thousands of people to share their hopes, fears, love, frustrations, and deeply held beliefs.

As I reflected on the entire conversation, I found myself asking a spiritual question rather than a political one:

What if our first response to another person's experience was curiosity instead of judgment?

What if we asked, "Tell me about your journey," rather than assuming we already know the answer?

That, to me, is where healing begins.

At Universal Rainbow Faith Church, we affirm that every person bears inherent worth and sacred dignity. We do not ask everyone to agree about every subject. We do ask that we approach one another with humility, compassion, and respect.

Love listens.

Love learns.

Love seeks understanding.

May we become a people who choose compassion over condemnation, curiosity over certainty, and grace over judgment.

For in doing so, we honor not only one another—but the Divine Light present within every soul.

Thank you, Alexandra Billings, for continuing to be a voice of authenticity, courage, humor, and truth. Your willingness to speak openly has encouraged countless people over the years, and your words continue to remind us that even laughter can become an act of resilience.

To every transgender, non-binary, and LGBTQ+ person reading this:

At Universal Rainbow Faith Church, we see you.

We honor you.

We celebrate you.

And above all, we remind you that your worth is not determined by governments, public opinion, or religious condemnation.

Your soul was never up for debate.

It has always belonged to Love.

May the Rainbow Light of Love surround you, strengthen you, and remind you that you are never alone.

With Love and Light,

Rev. Paula Josephine Sadler Founder & Founding Minister Universal Rainbow Faith Church "Activating the Rainbow Light of Love"

A Meditation for Compassion, Understanding & the Sacred Soul

Universal Rainbow Faith Church

By Rev. Paula Josephine Sadler

"The Soul Beyond the Labels"

Take a slow, gentle breath in...

And slowly release it.

Again...

Breathe in peace...

And breathe out every burden.

Allow your shoulders to soften.

Relax your face.

Become aware of your heartbeat...

The rhythm of life...

The rhythm that has carried you from your first breath until this very moment.

Now become aware that beneath your thoughts...

Beyond your emotions...

Deeper than your body...

There is something eternal.

There is your soul.

Your soul has no fear.

Your soul has no shame.

Your soul has no need to defend itself.

It simply is.

Imagine yourself surrounded by a beautiful rainbow light...

A light containing every color...

Every possibility...

Every expression of Divine Love.

This light knows you completely.

It knows every joy...

Every tear...

Every question...

Every victory...

Every struggle you have ever carried.

And still...

It embraces you without condition.

There is nothing you must prove.

Nothing you must earn.

Nothing you must become.

Simply rest in the truth...

I am loved.

Silently repeat:

I am loved.

I am enough.

I am a sacred expression of Divine Life.

Now allow your awareness to expand beyond yourself.

See every human being standing together upon this beautiful Earth.

Different ages...

Different cultures...

Different religions...

Different bodies...

Different identities...

Different journeys.

Yet each carrying the same spark of Divine Light.

Some understand.

Some are still learning.

Some have been wounded.

Some have caused wounds.

Yet every soul is on its own sacred journey.

Take another deep breath.

Imagine breathing compassion into the world.

As you exhale, release judgment.

As you inhale, receive understanding.

As you exhale, send love.

Allow your heart to whisper:

May all who feel rejected know they are loved.

May all who feel unseen know they are seen.

May all who are afraid find courage.

May all who hate discover compassion.

May all who judge awaken to understanding.

Now bring into your awareness every transgender person...

Every non-binary person...

Every lesbian...

Every gay man...

Every bisexual person...

Every queer person...

Every questioning soul...

And every person who has ever wondered...

"Am I enough?"

See each one surrounded by radiant light.

See every burden becoming lighter.

Every fear becoming smaller.

Every wound beginning to heal.

Whisper gently:

You belong.

You are loved.

You are not alone.

Now extend that same light to those who disagree...

Those who misunderstand...

Those whose hearts have become hardened.

Do not send condemnation.

Send wisdom.

Send compassion.

Send the possibility that one day they may truly see another human being through the eyes of love.

For love does not fear understanding.

Love is never diminished by compassion.

Love grows stronger every time it embraces another soul.

Take one final deep breath.

Feel yourself connected...

Not only to your own soul...

But to every soul that has ever lived...

And every soul yet to come.

Know that no government...

No law...

No opinion...

No act of hatred...

No misunderstanding...

Can ever diminish the Divine Light that lives within you.

That light existed before you were born.

It lives within you now.

And it will shine forever.

Rest in that truth.

Rest in Love.

Rest in Peace.

And together let us affirm:

I am loved.

I am whole.

I am exactly who I was created to be.

May all beings know peace.

May all beings know love.

May all beings know they belong.

And so it is.

Amen. 🌈