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'''Erin Swenson''' (born 1947) is a |
'''Erin Swenson''' (born 1947) is a American [[Presbyterian Church (USA)|Presbyterian]] minister known for her notable role for [[transgender]] individuals in the clergy. he gained recognition when the [[Presbytery of Greater Atlanta]] voted of 186 to 161 in favor of sustaining her ordination as minister on October 22, 1996. This decision came after Swenson's transition to being an openly [[transgender woman]], following 23 years of ordained service. This was the first time a mainstream minister made a [[gender transition]] while still in ordained office.<ref name="archives">{{cite web |title=Erin Swenson |url=https://lgbtqreligiousarchives.org/profiles/erin-swenson |website=LGBTQ Religious Archives Network}}</ref> |
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== Early life and education == |
== Early life and education == |
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== Retirement == |
== Retirement == |
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Swenson is now retired from the ministry, and currently hosts a [[podcast]], ''So Much More than Gender''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Malone |first1=Tess |title=When Erin Swenson transitioned in the 90s, a close vote kept her ordained as Presbyterian minister. Her new podcast tells her story. |url=https://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/when-erin-swenson-transitioned-in-the-90s-a-close-vote-kept-her-ordained-as-presbyterian-minister-her-new-podcast-tells-her-story/ |access-date=13 July 2023 |work=Atlanta Magazine |date=27 October 2020}}</ref> |
Swenson is now retired from the ministry, and currently hosts a [[podcast]], ''So Much More than Gender''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Malone |first1=Tess |title=When Erin Swenson transitioned in the 90s, a close vote kept her ordained as Presbyterian minister. Her new podcast tells her story. |url=https://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/when-erin-swenson-transitioned-in-the-90s-a-close-vote-kept-her-ordained-as-presbyterian-minister-her-new-podcast-tells-her-story/ |access-date=13 July 2023 |work=Atlanta Magazine |date=27 October 2020}}</ref> |
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== References == |
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[[Category:LGBT Protestant clergy]]}} |
Revision as of 23:22, 13 July 2023
Erin Swenson (born 1947) is a American Presbyterian minister known for her notable role for transgender individuals in the clergy. he gained recognition when the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta voted of 186 to 161 in favor of sustaining her ordination as minister on October 22, 1996. This decision came after Swenson's transition to being an openly transgender woman, following 23 years of ordained service. This was the first time a mainstream minister made a gender transition while still in ordained office.[1]
Early life and education
Swenson was in Buffalo, New York in 1947. In 1957, her family relocated to Atlanta, Georgia where she attended Sandy Springs High School. Swenson later enrolled at the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1965. In 1967, she met her future wife, Sigrid. In 1970, the couple had their first child. Soon after, Swenson pursued her studies at the Columbia Theological Seminary.[1]
Swenson completed her theological education with honors in 1973. After completing an internship, she her ministry as the Minister of Education at the First Presbyterian Church of Dalton in Georgia. In 1976, their second child, who required special care due to a disability, was born. Consequently, the family returned to Atlanta, where Swenson pursued a graduate degree in Pastoral Counseling while working as a Clinical Chaplain at the Georgia Retardation Center.[1]
Career
In 1981, Swenson joined the staff of the Atlanta Psychiatric Clinic and the Center for Personal Growth in as a pastoral clinical psychotherapist following the completion of her Th.M. in Pastoral Counseling at Columbia Theological Seminary. In 1984, she assumed the role of Director of the Center for Pastoral Care, a collaborative effort between Peachtree Presbyterian Church and the Episcopal Cathedral of Saint Philip in Atlanta.[1]
Swenson's commitment to her profession led her to co-found the Brookwood Center for Psychotherapy in 1987, together with Karen Faulk. She continued her practice at this center until her gender transition in 1995. Notably, in recognition of her efforts in advancing professional licensing legislation in Georgia, Swenson received the Distinguished Service to the State award from the Georgia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy in 1995.[1]
Furthermore, Swenson played a pivotal role in establishing and leading the Premarital Workshop, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. Over the course of ten years, she counseled nearly 1,000 couples.[1]
She was the co-moderator of More Light Presbyterians, an LGBTQ advocacy group within the Presbyterian Church (USA).[2]
Retirement
Swenson is now retired from the ministry, and currently hosts a podcast, So Much More than Gender.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Erin Swenson". LGBTQ Religious Archives Network.
- ^ "Pioneering transgender minister lets her light shine". Presbyterian Mission Agency. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
- ^ Malone, Tess (27 October 2020). "When Erin Swenson transitioned in the 90s, a close vote kept her ordained as Presbyterian minister. Her new podcast tells her story". Atlanta Magazine. Retrieved 13 July 2023.