A loud opposition to transgender rights often comes from religious groups, but Pastor Zach Lambert of Restore Austin Church in Austin, Texas, has taken a different approach. Known for sharing his progressive views on social media, Lambert recently expressed his belief that there are absolutely no “biblical” grounds for being anti-trans. He posted,
“Bible verses condemning trans folks: 0
Bible verses about welcoming migrants: 33
Bible verses about advocating for peace: 429
Bible verses about loving God and others: 714
Bible verses about taking care of the poor: 2000+”
As expected, Lambert’s post sparked outrage from those opposed to transgender rights. Many condemned the Austin pastor for daring to share such views online. “Wicked serpent, encouraging people into hell,” one X user replied.
Others, while tacitly acknowledging that there may be no biblical basis for being anti-trans, still attempted to argue against transgender identities from a different angle. “Perhaps. There are certainly biological and mental grounds to consider,” another user remarked.
However, some argue that there are Bible verses that condemn being transgender. Replying to the Austin pastor, one user said, “Leviticus 19:28 forbids cutting into one’s flesh or marking it in worship of pagan idols. Transgenderism finds its roots in transhumanism; through idolizing the ideal self by making sacrifices by cutting the flesh, they have created new gods to worship through mutilation.”
Another user remarked that they didn’t appreciate Lambert comparing transgender rights to immigration. “Comparing welcoming migrants to condemning identity is like comparing apples to oranges—action vs. moral judgment. This list might resonate with those who already agree, but it leaves little room for pastoral nuance or for those genuinely grappling with identity, faith, and biblical authority,” one X user commented.
The Austin pastor didn’t just receive condemnation, though. His post on X actually received over seven thousand likes, and there were also many comments supporting his belief. “My man. Glad he has a voice and is using it well,” one Redditor said after seeing his post.
Many praised Lambert’s character and bravery for speaking up despite knowing he would face backlash and resistance. “Huh, a real pastor who actually reads the Bible and isn’t just a mindless conservative ‘Christian’? You know you’re doing something right when conservatives get offended. Shoutout to this man,” another Redditor said.
Some pointed out that the Bible clearly commands believers to love their neighbors, which should be enough reason to treat others with respect. “Jesus: ‘Love thy neighbor.’ Modern Christians: ‘But what if they’re foreign or LGBTQ?’ Jesus: ‘Did I f—ing stutter…?'” one user joked.
