Brought up in a conservative town in East Tennessee, Kristy was raised by a Baptist mother and a Catholic father who instilled in her a deep respect for God and a love for Jesus; however, worship was not part of the family's routine. Always curious about God, Kristy was allowed to go to any church she wanted, so she experienced many different Christian denominations by attending church with friends and extended family. Although she found many wonderful things in the churches she visited as a younger child, her experiences in those faith traditions did not sate her curiosity, and, unfortunately, some of the leaders in those communities disdained questions entirely. This left Kristy searching for something more in a faith home. Finally, at age 16 when she could drive herself to church, she discovered a home in the Episcopal Church where her questions were welcome, and she was soon after baptized and confirmed. Kristy's faith journey deepened through the Cursillo movement, where she found a vibrant and supportive Christian family that spanned the entire diocese.

 

For 33 years, Kristy has remained a devoted Episcopalian, worshipping, along with her husband and children, in several different churches within the diocese of East Tennessee. Over the years Kristy took on numerous leadership roles in her churches: singing in choir, chairing and serving on discernment committees, co-leading Christian Formation, serving on vestry, teaching Sunday School, volunteering with Family Promise, ushering, serving as Eucharistic Visitor, participating in centering prayer, and leading small fellowship groups. During their formative years, her children worshipped regularly, attended Sunday School, served as acolytes, participated in youth groups, and went on mission trips.

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As her children grew into adolescents, Kristy’s understanding of faith and love took on new dimensions. Neither of her children conformed to the sexual and gender constructs that had been modeled in their home, and when her youngest turned 17, she revealed to Kristy that she is transgender. Confused but desiring to understand, Kristy sought to learn all she could about gender identity, the trans experience, and how to show up for her queer children with love and grace. As she shed many long-held, socialized prejudices about gender and sexuality, Kristy recognized that her judgments and assumptions about the trans experience, even if held out of ignorance, had caused her daughters harm. While she believed she had done all she could to provide a loving and safe Christian home for her children, she had failed. The pain of that knowledge was motivation to transform into the safe, supportive parent her daughters had always needed and attempt to reconcile the damage she'd done to her relationships with them.

 

 

A high-school and college educator for 20 years, what Kristy learned from parenting her daughters reshaped her professional life as well. She became co-sponsor of her school’s Alliance Club and joined the Culture Committee — a team of staff working to create a more inclusive environment for all students, especially the marginalized. She also served on the board of GLSEN Tennessee, supporting LGBTQ+ youth across the state. Her attitude shift was evident to her LGBTQ+ students, as many of them soon found in her a trusted, affirming adult. Kristy found profound purpose in that role, and a new calling emerged. She felt deeply compelled to advocate for young people like her own daughters — especially those who had been rejected or wounded by people of faith.

 

Kristy's experience as an educator and facilitator and her deep belief in the Episcopal Church's mantra that "All Are Welcome" came together, and through extensive research, conversations, and collaboration, "In the Image of God" was born — a program designed to help churches understand gender and sexuality through the lens of faith, compassion, and inclusion. Since leaving the classroom in 2024, Kristy has connected with and learned from ministers across the country from many different faith traditions who are already engaged in this sacred work, and she subsequently developed a six-week course intended to help congregations begin conversations about allyship, reconciliation, and visible, outspoken inclusivity.

 

As someone whose beliefs and worldview shifted dramatically in a short span of time, Kristy understands how confusing and intimidating these conversations can be. Just a few years ago, she would have wondered why anyone should or would talk about sexuality, pronouns or gender identity in a church setting. However, Kristy firmly believes that through education and honest dialogue, hearts and minds can be transformed, and strong communities can be made even stronger. Her mission is to help faith communities become places where all people — especially LGBTQ+ youth — are recognized as created in the image of God. Audaciously beloved children, just as God made them.​