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This Trans Pastor's Story Made Jada Pinkett Smith Emotional
Pastor Paula Williams talks to to Jada, Willow, and Gammy about her life and experiences as a trans woman in the church.
On the latest episode of Red Table Talk, Jada Pinkett Smith, Willow Smith, and "Gammy" Adrienne Banfield Norris sit down with Pastor Paula Williams, "a transgender woman who risked her job, family, and friendships in order to live her truth."
After living as a man for most of her life, Pastor Paula candidly speaks about coming out to her family, her divorce, balancing her identity with religion, losing her job, privilege, and the moment she knew she had to transition.
"I knew that I was a girl when I was about three or four years of age," began the Pastor. "I fought it for decades. I spent my life wanting to be a loving husband, a loving father and for a long time, I thought I would make it through my life without transitioning."
But Paula couldn't fight her calling anymore. "I realized I no longer had a choice. It felt like I was dying inside. It was a feeling of desperation and deep sadness because I knew what it would do for my family."
Her life was ripped apart, but Paula is finally at peace with herself.
"Transitioning was not an easy process. Thought it was painful, it was wonderful. It was the hardest decision I've made in my life."
Jada, Willow, and Gammy invited the Pastor onto the show along with her children, who openly discussed how they handled their "Dad's" transition, grief, the pronouns and names they use for Paula, and how their love for each other uplifted Paula.
"I cannot in good conscious be a church that does not outwardly include support and affirm the LGBTQIA community," said Paula's son, Johnathan, who is also a Pastor. "We lost thousands of dollars and a lot of people walked out our doors and it was the best decision we ever made."
It wasn't easy for Johnathan to lose his "hero," as he says but he concluded that "Estrangement wasn't an option. You don't leave somebody."
Watch the powerful interview on Facebook Watch below!
Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!
Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!
