On International Pronouns Day (Oct. 20), the State Department tweeted to explain that many Americans use pronouns as a form of gender expression. This day was created by Shige Sakurai, who believes that pronouns, like names, allow people to express themselves and their identity to the rest of the world.

Remember President Biden’s executive order issued during his first days in office seeking to prevent discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation: “It is the policy of my administration to prevent and combat discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation, and to fully enforce Title VII and other laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.” This is now reflected in the policy of our State Department and the stance of America in the world.

“Referring to people by the pronouns they determine for themselves is basic to human dignity. Being referred to by the wrong pronouns particularly affects transgender and gender nonconforming people,” Sakurai wrote. With this in mind, Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that the State Department would allow people to choose their gender identity on passports even if it contradicts with the sex or gender identity listed on other official documents. 

For those individuals with official documents and medical forms identifying them as either male or female, no longer is any official confirmation needed to show they have a medical condition warranting the nonbinary option. According to the government, their word is as good as gold. 

The U.S. special diplomatic envoy for LGBTQ rights, Jessica Stern, said the passport was “historic” and puts the government in touch with the “lived reality” of Americans who identify as something other than male or female. “When a person obtains identity documents that reflect their true identity, they live with greater dignity and respect,” Stern said. A spokesperson for the State Dept. explained, “The Department also continues to work closely with other U.S. government agencies to ensure as smooth a travel experience as possible for all passport holders, regardless of their gender identity.”  

We are referring to a very small segment of people in the world who believe someone actually is the sex or gender they believe they are, rather than the one their body says they are. To date there is no new scientific evidence requiring this belief. “Yet,” notes The Daily Citizen, “many are trying to force the belief on others with brutal rigidity. That is why the gender pronoun issue is such a contentious issue.” 

Men, this is the world in which we live. Reality is not what we make it to be but is objective and unchanging based on the revealed Word of our Creator. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). The NET states, “This verse constitutes the most concise statement of the incarnation in the New Testament.”  The Message proclaims, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” 

The Word became a man. Jesus loved men and women equally, accepting them with all their flaws, but never confusing reality with their identity as Man and Woman, reminding us, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female'” (Matt 19:4). May Jesus be our guide in this confusing time. 

Our identity is in Christ. “…Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously towards others, the way God lives toward you” (Matt 5:48 – Message).