Rev. Don Anderson to speak on gender transition following sabbatical

By Peder S. Schaefer
Posted 5/17/18

By PEDER SCHAEFER The Reverend Don Anderson, executive minister of the Rhode Island State Council Churches, said Monday that she will be taking a three-month sabbatical to complete her transition to becoming a woman. Anderson, 70, informed the council

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Rev. Don Anderson to speak on gender transition following sabbatical

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The Reverend Don Anderson, executive minister of the Rhode Island State Council Churches, said Monday that she will be taking a three-month sabbatical to complete her transition to becoming a woman.

Anderson, 70, informed the council months ago of her decision, but she’s waiting until the fall to discuss the personal reasons behind the transition, following a sabbatical, set to begin June 1.

“I’ll be in a much better place to talk in the fall,” said Anderson. “My family is in process still right now, and I want to have really experienced [the transition] before saying more.”

Anderson said she understands why there would be questions, and that she’s going to address them when she returns in the fall.   

In a post made on the Rhode Island State Council of Churches website on Friday Governing Board President Chontell Washington announced Anderson’s transition.

“Last fall Dr. Anderson shared with the Governing Board that she is transgender and in the process of transitioning,” wrote Washington. “During the sabbatical Dr. Anderson will be changing her name from Donald to Donnie. The council is appreciative of Dr. Anderson’s ministry and totally supportive of her transition. Please join us in wishing her well in this time of transition.”

Leaving the ministry will allow Anderson time away from the day-to-day operations of the council, so she can focus on her personal life.

As executive minister Anderson has been an advocate for social justice, arguing for an increase in the minimum wage and protections for domestic-violence victims. Anderson also played a key role in organizing faith community support of the $2 million campaign to build the Station Fire Memorial at the site of the nightclub where 100 people died on Feb. 20, 2003. Anderson will be speaking at the 15th observance ceremony this Sunday at 1 p.m. at the memorial in West Warwick.

“The governing board is enormously supportive of both the sabbatical and the transition,” said Rev. Betsy Garland, an officer on the RISCC board and close friend of Anderson. “She’s such a gift to Rhode Island for heading the council. We’ll be eagerly awaiting her return.”

Garland also offered that this is not a sudden decision on the part of Anderson, and that she’ll be back in the same position as executive minister when she returns from the sabbatical in September.

“Right now it's personal and she’s just spending time with her family,” said Garland.

Anderson has been the executive minister for 11 years at RISCC, which has a mission to gather “denominations, congregations, organizations, faith leaders, and individuals to serve as a

catalyst for ecumenical, cultural, and interfaith dialogue.”

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