In scripture, we are reminded that every person is created in the image and likeness of God. This Sunday, we celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord, when the heavens open, the Spirit descends, and God proclaims over Jesus: “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

That same blessing echoes through time and over all God’s children. God looks upon us, not with suspicion or fear, but with delight and unwavering love. God does not act as a judgmental parent waiting for us to measure up. God embraces each person as beloved, affirmed, and worthy of dignity simply because God created us.

At Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada, we hold firmly to this truth as we witness Governor Joe Lombardo’s continued use of transgender Nevadans as political theater. This comes at a time when violence against transgender individuals is rising and when legislatures across the country continue to target and harass transgender communities.

The ballot proposal Governor Lombardo has endorsed would undermine the will of Nevada voters. In 2022, Nevadans overwhelmingly passed the Equal Rights Amendment, enshrining broad constitutional protections against discrimination. The message from the people of Nevada could not have been clearer: our state is moving toward equality and fairness, not backward.

Policies like those proposed are not abstract debates. They inflict real and immediate harm on beloved children of God. They deputize adults, coaches, and even classmates to police girls’ bodies and appearances, to decide who “looks feminine enough” to belong. Girls who are tall, strong, broad-shouldered, or who simply do not match narrow expectations are singled out, scrutinized, and shamed. These invasions of privacy and dignity have already occurred in other states; the damage is not hypothetical.

This ballot proposal is not about fairness or safety. It is a political weapon rooted in fear, designed to energize an agenda that targets transgender people—especially transgender youth.

As people of faith, we reject the narrative of fear. We proclaim the Gospel of a God who calls us beloved, just as we are. As Lutherans, we are grounded in our church’s own teaching. ELCA social policy is explicit that discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people, including transgender youth, is incompatible with our understanding of God’s love and justice. In “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust” (2009), the ELCA affirms that “all people—regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity—are created in the image of God and should be treated with dignity, respect, and protection under the law.”

Our church also recognizes that government has a responsibility to safeguard the well-being of all residents and must not be used to harm or marginalize vulnerable communities _{(Church and State: A Lutheran Perspective, 1966; Government and Civic Engagement).}

These teachings establish a clear theological mandate: Lutherans are called to advocate alongside all LGBTQIA+ people, resisting policies grounded in fear and exclusion, and upholding protections that recognize every person as beloved.

Transgender Nevadans deserve safety, dignity, belonging, and joy, not to be used as pawns in a culture war. And we will continue to stand with them, advocate for them, and remind this state of the sacred truth spoken at the Jordan River, this is God’s beloved child; in them God is well pleased.

In Faith,

Rev. Paul M. Larson

Advocacy Director, Lutheran Engagement Advocacy in Nevada

Pastor, St. Paul’s Lutheran Family, Carson City, NV

When Zeidy Funes returned to her home country of Honduras after trying to migrate to the United States, she was looking for a new start. Fortunately, after her arrival, Zeidy was connected with an organization that is part of the AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrants with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities) network. The organization “provided me with the psychological support I needed,” Zeidy said. By meeting others in her same situation, she was able to rebuild her life in Honduras.

Zeidy is just one of many people who are part of a network for returned migrants in Honduras. Read more of their stories in the 2025 issue of “Thrive.”

Are you seeking a deeper connection between your faith and your commitment to racial justice? PLTS invites pastors, lay leaders, deacons, and all people of faith to participate in the Racial Justice and Faith Certificate—an online learning experience rooted in liberative practices and theological reflection.  No undergraduate degree is required. 

The cost is only $250 per course (with group discounts and discounts for PLTS alumni). The first class will be on the topic of Womanism and Social Justice and will begin on February 9. Learn more and register HERE!

Affordability continues to be a major challenge for families across Nevada. Grocery prices remain high. Rents are still rising. Energy rates are higher this year, stretching household budgets even further.

At Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada, we hear these concerns every day from congregations and communities across the state. These aren’t abstract issues—they are daily realities that affect whether neighbors can stay housed, keep the lights on, and put food on the table.

LEAN is fighting to build a more affordable Nevada by advocating for policies that lower costs, protect vulnerable households, and center human dignity. Together, we are working toward a state where everyone has what they need to live with stability, security, and hope.

Faith leaders are among our most natural allies for peace, as they reconcile people to one another and something greater than ourselves. Common Ground USA, the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network, and PERIL at American University present the Peacemaker’s Toolkit to equip faith leaders with the tools they need to foster peace and resilience within their congregations and beyond. This free resource brings together the best in evidence from global peacebuilding, multi-faith reconciliation, and academic research.

A comprehensive resource guide for faith leaders to discern and act on the dynamics that foster peace and resilience to division. The Toolkit offers responses to common challenges: polarization affecting churches and cities, acts of hate targeting neighbors, and online extremism impacting congregants.

Read more.