2025 Participant Biographies

Grace Thomas is a retired pastor with over 30 years of ministry experience. She raised two gay sons and one straight daughter. Grace came out as transgender later in life, after retirement. She now identifies as lesbian. She has been married to Cindy for 48 years. Since 2016, when Grace came out, they have worked hard at finding ways to make their marriage work. Starting Oct 2021 they began experimenting with their “shared sacrifice” with Grace living and functioning as a woman part of the time while living and presenting as Cindy’s husband in shared spaces. Sixteen months ago Grace and Cindy made the decision for Grace to transition fully. They both remain committed to each other while now walking through the experience of separation. Grace is very involved in supporting parents of LGBTQ+ kids and often leads online book clubs to help people explore affirming theology and various related topics including friendship. An introvert by nature, friendships have never come easy. But they HAVE become the lifeblood of Grace’s thriving as a queer person. Helping others experience this thriving is another one of her passions.