Rev. Dr. Phil Phaneuf is the senior minister of The United Methodist Church of North Chili, a small UMC denomination in Rochester, NY.
During his November 23, 2025, sermon, Phaneuf, 51, shocked congregants by announcing that he was transgender and had already begun taking hormone replacement therapy, adding, “I’m not becoming a woman. I’m giving up pretending to be a man.”
UMC pastor shocks his congregation by announcing during the sermon that he's transgender and will be 'transitioning' to a woman.
— Protestia (@Protestia) December 2, 2025
"My parents texted me this morning and they asked for me to TELL YOU all that they DO NOT support me." pic.twitter.com/HD2s87pPLi
He later added on Facebook:











