Transgender Lutheran vicar wants to continue his pastoral work
Imatra vicar pondered gender identity for decades
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Olli Aalto, the Lutheran Vicar of Imatra, says that he has struggled with his gender identity for almost all of his 54 years.
The struggle is now coming to an end. Aalto will take a leave of absence at the beginning of 2009, during which time he will undergo surgery and other procedures to become a woman.
Aalto says that the matter has been a cause for concern “ever since I was a little girl”.
“I was three years old when I asked why I didn’t have a skirt, when all the other girls did”, he says.
The vicar has waited until now for gender reassignment out of consideration for his next of kin. His children are adults now, his parents have died, and relationships are no barrier either.
“I have been married twice, and each time I noted that I am not man enough for them.”
The transformation from man to woman begins in the winter.
“This is not a problem of mental health. It has been examined four different times.”
Aalto informed parish workers about his decision a few weeks ago. He says that feedback has been positive, with one exception.
Aalto has served as a vicar for 22 years. Continuing in the post “hangs in the balance”, but in any case, he wants to continue to serve in the Lutheran Church. He insists that he does not want to become “a doormat”.
Aalto decided to come out in public after extensive reflection.
“I decided that because of my position, it would come out at some point”, he says. Aalto wanted to raise discussion and promote understanding about the transgender phenomenon.
“Keeping it a secret and living a double life are terribly heavy burdens.”
Previously, at least one pastor in Southern Finland has undergone a sex change.
Aalto’s decision has sparked conflicting feelings in Imatra and in the leadership of the Lutheran Church.
“The matter has bewildered many, including myself", says Voitto Huotari, the Bishop of Mikkeli.
No decisions have been made on whether or not Huotari can stay on as vicar. There are no legal impediments, but Huotari says that there could be problems.
“It is a question of mental images and attitudes, which could, in a very decisive way, remove the preconditions for working as a pastor”, he says.
Huotari said that he hopes for dispassionate discussion on the Aalto case. He plans to examine the matter when he visits Imatra next week.
A decision on the matter could be left to Huotari’s successor Seppo Häkkinen, who replaces Bishop Huotari in February.
The chairman of the Church Council of Imatra Parish, Antti Jarva, does not think that Aalto can stay on as vicar.
“Personally, and in my own view, I would say that I would find it extremely difficult to work with Mrs. Aalto”, Jarva says.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 12.11.2008 - TODAY |
 Transgender Lutheran vicar wants to continue his pastoral work |
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