Transgender paster comes out to congregation with surprising reaction
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Epworth United Methodist Church has 
strong roots, dating back to its founding in 1935, but its members welcome a break from tradition.
That break can be no more easily personified than with pastor David Weekley.
"We liked him from the beginning," said church member George Azumano.
More than two years ago, the Reverend Weekley became the church's pastor. It wasn't until just a month ago, in a sermon to his congregation of about 220, that he revealed a secret.
For Weekley, "you could have heard a pin drop," he said. "It had been 27 years, but now felt like the time."
For Robbie Tsuboi, who was there in the pews, "this was the sermon, of his life."
Weekley was born a woman, but never quite felt female. In his early 20s he under-went surgery to become a man.
A few years later he became ordained - all the while, keeping his transition a secret. He said he really did not think there would be an issue.
"Then I realized that the church could have issue with it and try to strip my ordination," he said. "And that's when I decided not to talk about it publicly until I discerned how to handle that."
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