ABOUT THE FOUNDER
Randall Klein
A native to the San Francisco Bay Area, Randall grew up in a family of five siblings. Married for 29 years, with three children, Randall works professionally as a graphic artist, fine artist, photographer, writer and teacher.
He grew up in the Christian church and has served in various ministry capacities, including: Art Director at Jews for Jesus in San Francisco, California; Art Director for the Christian publication Radix Magazine in Berkeley, California; Executive Board Member of True North Christian Fellowship, and participated in the first ever Transgender Religious Leaders Summit at the Pacific School of Religion (PSR) in Berkeley, California in 2007. In April of 2009, he attended the 2009 Transgender Religious Leaders Summit, in Washington DC where he joined in with other religious leaders to lobby for successful passage of the Hate Crimes Bill (Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009). In 2010 Randall was pleased to co-host, along with the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies (CLGS) and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) the 2010 Transgender Religious Leaders Summit, bringing it back to the PSR Berkeley Campus. He is currently involved organizing the 2011 Transgender Religious Leaders Summit.
He has been a BSA Scoutmaster, sports coach (football, baseball and soccer) for over 17 years, and served on various community groups. He has also helped develop printed materials dealing with child safety issues working with the Drowning Prevention Foundation, police associations and fire associations. Randall is a commissioned Stephen Minister. He publishes articles about transgender issues for on line publications. He is also developing the web sites Gender Spectrum.com and Displays of Grace.com.
“At an early age, it became evident that my interests and self-image seemed to be skewed from that of my male peers. Although no one fully “fits in,” my inability to conform seemed to be focused in on my gender. I realized that expressing the feminine (especially as a young boy) was “outside” of what was acceptable for a male in our society. For more than 40 years, I vigorously attempted to repress how I felt inside. Through many prayers, tears and then near suicide, I finally had to face the truth about who I was. It was in 1999, after 17 years of marriage, that I finally confided in my wife about the struggles with my gender identity. Since then, I have gained the support of my children, and many of my family members and friends. It has been through this support and acceptance that I have been able to honestly explore my gender issues and develop a more holistic approach to personhood. It is my hope that those who come to Light in the Closet, may find similar support in their lives and are able to honestly face who they are as God made them, both the male and the female.”
"There is a line in a song that we sing in church that really resonates with me. I use it for my email sign-off: 'No guilt in life. No fear in Death. This is the power of Christ in me.' Letting go of my guilt and trusting in grace has given me immense joy and peace. The love and acceptance displayed in the teachings of Jesus continues to amaze me."
Contact Randall Klein at: RKlein@lightinthecloset.org
Or by mail: Light in the Closet
1484 Enea Ct., Suite 1330
Concord, CA 94520
Link to Transgender Religious Leaders Summit 2007: http://www.affirmunited.ca/english/TGSummitNotes.pdf
Link to Transgender Religious Leaders Summit 2009: http://www.transfaithonline.org/network/200904_dcsummit/letter/
Link to Binder Materials from the Transgender Religious Leaders Summit 2010: http://www.clgs.org/trans-summit-iv-2010
Link to information and registration for the 2011 Transgender Religious Leaders Summit: TRLS 2011
The links available and publications cited throughout this web site are there for your convenience. Light in the Closet does not necessarily endorse all subject matter, nor can Light in the Closet vouch for the validity of the content.
Most scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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Images are non transferable ©2011 Klein Graphics
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