Author's Note: For the Caesar's Palace Rainbow History Month Challenge.
Reverend Stilles was glad to have his pulpit back. His congregation had, as predicted, come to see his point of view. God did not see the name he used or the robes he wore, but the contents of his soul. While changing his mortal coil had been imperative in avoiding false witness, for every time someone had called him Michelle had put a lie in their lips.
Michael was grateful to Eli (and Keith, however reluctant his help may have been) for their service. It was in the spirit of that deep gratitude that had led him to accept the first media appearance. He was happy, if a bit surprised, that they wanted his message.
"God guided me to be true to myself," offered Michael with a nervous smile into the interview camera. "He loves us exactly as we are, and he knew me even before I understood myself as a man."
The interviewer shifted in her seat and nodded, even though Michael had seen enough bored parishioners to know she'd barely been listening. "But how do you respond to those who say God doesn't make mistakes?"
His microphone crackled when Reverend Stilles reached up and ran the cross he wore between his fingers. "Well they're right. God created me, and put me on this path for a purpose. I'm not correcting myself, just becoming the man I was always meant to be. Creation runs deeper than our bodies, if it didn't, he'd be awfully disappointed by cosmetics and hair dye."
Across from him, the conversation faltered on the next question as the interviewer reflexively patted her hair. Perhaps the woman was a bottle blond? Michael took a sip of water.
There were other questions in a similar vein and then the conversation shifted, inevitably, to Eli.
"What do you think of claims that Mr. Stone has divine visions?" she asked.
Michael smiled. "I think we all experience divinity and God's love surrounds us always. I cannot speak for Mr. Stone's-or anyone else's-relationship with God, but he's a good lawyer. I really appreciate his work on my case."
That had been a half dozen news items ago. After that, suddenly Michael Stilles was called as some kind of expert on the intersection of trans issues and faith. It hadn't always been bad. He'd driven down the six hours to meet young Sam Sibler and his wonderful, supportive parents who had won bathroom rights at school.
But it didn't take long before Michael realized he didn't like seeing his words played back to him in twenty second soundbites. This was not his path.
On the Sunday following that final interview, he turned his pages with vigor. Today's sermon would be on listening for God because he would never hear anything sweeter.