Alexya Salvador

First Transgender Shepherd of Latin America

This week, Sara brings us the story of Alexya Salvador, the first transgender pastor in Brazil and all of Latin America, and the first transgender person to adopt a child in Brazil.

As a young child, Alexya found great solace and belonging in the Catholic Church, so much so, that she entered seminary to begin a path to priesthood. But as her studies progressed she uncovered deeply held core teachings that made her feel like a criminal just for being gay.

Alexya’s story is one of overcoming the great sorrow of losing her faith in the church, only to discover the true face of God and a new church family, ultimately becoming a beacon of hope and light for all transgender people in Brazil and South America (who face increasingly hateful rhetoric & violence just for being LGBTQ+).