Full Breakdown
Transgender Woman Denied Baptism by Lighthouse Church
4/13/2026, 8:35:09 PM
Core Event: Refusal of Baptism at Lighthouse Church
Joann Carver, a 73-year-old transgender woman, claims that the Lighthouse Church in Ely, Cambridgeshire, refused to baptize her due to her gender identity. Carver joined the church in April 2022 and completed a pre-baptism 'alpha' course, expressing her desire to be baptized in June 2025. However, she was informed that she could not participate in the baptism ceremony alongside five other candidates. A week later, her partner, Hannah Davis, 57, alleges that a pastor stated Carver could only be baptized if she "wore trousers and grew a beard."
Background & Context: Joann Carver's Journey
Carver has identified as female since childhood, expressing discomfort with traditional gender roles and clothing. After coming out in spring 2017, she legally changed her name from John to Joann and began hormone therapy, culminating in gender-affirming surgery in February 2022. Her relationship with Davis, a long-time member of the Lighthouse Church, began in December 2021 through the Pink Cupid app. Carver's newfound faith emerged post-surgery, as she felt supported by Davis's prayers during her recovery.
Official Statements & Responses
In response to Carver's claims, a spokesperson for the Lighthouse Church stated, "As a Christian community, we affirm the historic and biblical teaching that sex is biological and a good gift from God." The church maintains that its leaders acted with sincere pastoral intent and do not recognize the characterization of the conversation as described by Carver and Davis. They emphasized that the pastor had not observed sufficient change in Carver's situation to proceed with baptism.
Criticism & Opposition: Emotional Impact on Joann Carver
Carver expressed profound emotional distress following the church's refusal, stating, "Lighthouse Church have made me feel inhuman and ashamed to be me." She described the experience as one of the lowest points in her life, leading to feelings of isolation and hurt. After leaving the Lighthouse Church, Carver and Davis joined the Renew Inclusive Church in Cambridge, where Carver was baptized on October 26, 2025. Reflecting on her new church experience, she stated, "It feels fabulous: I’m still buzzing from it."
What's Next: Continued Advocacy for Inclusivity
The situation highlights ongoing discussions about inclusivity within religious communities, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ individuals. Carver's experience may prompt further dialogue within the Lighthouse Church and similar organizations about their policies and practices concerning gender identity and acceptance.
