Not all religious spaces welcome everyone, especially when it comes to non-binary gender and sexuality. In contrast, the Sedona Unitarian Universalist Fellowship has long done its best to invite people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer to join its congregation and to feel fully welcome in all of its activities.

They want to understand and honor the LGBTQ+ experience, not to judge it.  Therefore, they are devoting their upcoming service, on Sunday, November 10, to the topic of “Navigating Life as a Transgender and Non-binary Person.”

Two Sedona residents will be sharing their knowledge and life experience on this topic. One is JJ O’Brien, a non-binary/gender fluid person, who has lived in Sedona for over 38 years and is the City’s former Community Development Director.  JJ retired in 2012 after 24 years of working for Sedona.

JJ has served as a Board member and as the President of PFLAG Sedona/Verde Valley and currently is an active volunteer. (PFLAG is the United States’ largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.)

JJ also volunteers at Sedona Red Rock High School and has been their public address announcer for various varsity sports since 2005. JJ’s other interests include hiking, exploring area archeological sites, and spending time with their daughter and three grandchildren.

The other presenter is Becky Shipman, who was educated at UC Berkeley, and worked as a research engineer at 3M, where she came out to her boss and co-workers and became chair of the LGBTQA+ employee resource group, responsible for getting domestic partner benefits at the company.

Becky retired to Sedona where she likes to hike, paddleboard, and volunteer at PFLAG, as well as write and perform original songs on guitar. The names she goes by are Becky, Mom, Dad, and Ms. Shipman.

JJ and Becky will address some of the vexing questions and situations trans people face. Additionally, they will share two of their original poems, and Becky will sing two original songs.

November 8, 2024