A recent church talk by Kody Storms, a former drag king and self-identified non-binary individual, has stirred considerable controversy after a video clip of the speech surfaced online. In the video, Storms encourages churchgoers to consider using neopronouns such as “Xe” or “Fem,” prompting a wave of backlash from conservative users on social media.
The speech has reignited long-standing tensions within Christianity regarding gender identity and language. Many conservative Christians hold firm to traditional gender roles and view the use of unconventional pronouns as a compromise of their beliefs. On the other hand, progressive Christians advocate for greater inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals within church spaces, including the respectful use of diverse pronouns.
During the talk, Storms introduced themselves by saying, “My name is Kody Storms, and I use they and he pronouns. That means that I am not entirely a man, and I am definitely not a woman.” They explained that their experience as a drag king helped them better understand their gender identity. However, Storms noted that people often default to he/him pronouns based on their appearance, which doesn’t fully reflect how they identify.
Storms elaborated further, explaining their preference for more specific pronouns: “I’m glad I’m not seen as a woman, but being referred to only as a non-binary man doesn’t feel quite right either. Pronouns like Z or Xe are meant to better reflect identities that don’t fit neatly into binary categories.” They described neopronouns as a way to reduce confusion and better express the nuances of individual gender identity.
In an extended portion of the address, Storms listed several other pronoun options, such as V/Ver, Fay/Fem, and Me/Nim, arguing that although these terms may seem complex, they serve a simple purpose: to avoid repeatedly using a person’s name and to show respect. “Pronouns are just a way to simplify human language,” they said. “But if it’s easier, you can just use my name.”
Storms concluded their speech by challenging objections to neopronouns. “You’re acknowledging me either way, which is a good start,” they said. “But eventually, constantly using someone’s name will sound more awkward than if you had just learned their pronouns.”
The reaction online was swift. Critics flooded the comment section of the original post, questioning why such a talk took place in a church and criticizing what they viewed as political messaging. One user wrote, “Forcing someone to use pronouns to assuage your sensitivities is tyrannical.” Another asked, “What Christian message is being shared here?”
The incident has sparked a broader conversation around the role of gender identity and inclusive language in religious spaces, reflecting deep cultural and theological divisions that continue to shape public discourse.
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