Providence Journal
April 13, 2022
”I often wonder what would have happened if one of my teachers knew how to talk to a kid like me. Gender dysphoria is not some made-up thing — it is very real and it kills…”
January 10, 2020
Rhode Island Democratic Women’s Caucus
Rhode Island Women’s History: MEET DONNIE ANDERSON
Photo and story by Judi Zimmer
The Reverend Dr. Donnie Anderson will be retiring from her duties as the Executive Minister for the Rhode Island State Council of Churches at the end of January 2020. In honor of all the good work she has done, the RI Democratic Women’s Caucus is proud to bring you this feature on Donnie Anderson as part of our Rhode Island Women’s History Series.
Feature story by: Judi Zimmer, RIDWC Member
Raised in Cranston, RI, Dr. Anderson now resides in Providence. She is an ordained minister, educator, counselor, and social activist. She is currently the Executive Minister for the Rhode Island State Council of Churches and is involved with so many other organizations, both religious and civic, and task forces that keeping up with her is quite the challenge, but being inspired by her is easy!
After seven decades of confusion, dysphoria, and shame, Dr. Anderson revealed that she was transgender and began the process of transition. In September 2018 she returned to work following a three-month sabbatical as the Rev. Donnie Anderson. She continues to work for social justice from a faith perspective with an additional emphasis on her experience as a transgender woman.
Judi Zimmer’s Interview with Donnie Anderson
(JZ) What advice would you give your 12-year-old self?
(DA) I would have counseled myself to read more and to be intentional about exposing myself to a wider variety of opinions. I only looked at information that backed up my predetermined position.
(JZ) What or who got you interested in politics and political issues and when?
(DA) I was a student at Cranston High School West from 1960 to 66 (it was grades 7 to 12 in those days). The civil rights movement was in the news every night. The Viet Nam War and the protests also dominated the evening news. I was very influenced by my conservative upbringing and while many of my friends were rebelling, I was a loud conservative voice. Social Studies classes were especially open to debate on the hot topics of the day and I was hooked. Like Hillary Clinton, I was a staunch Goldwater supporter. I was perhaps the only Goldwater supporter in my school or at least the only one who talked openly about it. My teachers encouraged thoughtful debate and would not let us get away with simply reciting rhetoric, but pushed us to think on our own.
(JZ) Have you considered running for office? Why or why not?
(DA) Yes, several years ago I actively spoke with folks about the possibility of running for a position in state government for several months. I ultimately decided not to run at the time because:
I could not have afforded to take a year from work, which is what it would have taken.
I was also debating whether or not to come out of the closet as a transgender person.
Another individual that I respected was also running and we would have been fishing from the same pool of voters.
(JZ) What is your greatest challenge as an activist and advocate?
(DA) The greatest challenge is often my great disappointment with government. All too often, the position that wins the day is not the best or most ethical position or the position that would help the most people, but the position with the most money and power supporting it. Also, although I celebrate the gains that we have seen locally and nationally with women and other minoritized groups, white men often get to call the shots. We have a LONG way to go before we are a truly just society where everyone is respected and has a chance to make their case.
Rev Dr Donnie Anderson leads the candle light vigil at the July 2019 Lights for Liberty Rhode Island Protest
Rev Dr Donnie Anderson leads the candle light vigil at the July 2019 Lights for Liberty Rhode Island Protest
Advice for Young People Today
Dr. Anderson was asked what advice she would give to 12-year-olds today. Here is her list:
Make a commitment to be involved in a way that works for you. Not everyone can or has to run for office, but find a way to be involved.
Open your mind and heart to other perspectives. Don’t decide you are ‘right’ too soon.
Listen to adults, but don’t be afraid to challenge any thought or perspective. Be respectful, know their position and yours, but don’t hesitate to make yourself heard.
Be determined and persistent; don’t give up when things don’t go your way. If no one answers the front door, go around the back and knock again.
Know who you are and be PROUD of who you are, especially if you are not a white male. You have as much value and right to be heard as anyone. REFUSE to believe anything else.
Find others who share your values. Develop strong, trusting relationships. IF POSSIBLE, don’t go it alone.
Find a way to have FUN doing the work.
Judi Zimmer
Our monthly Rhode Island Women’s History Column is written by Judi Zimmer. Contact the RIDWC at RIDWomensCaucus [at] gmail [dot] com if you have suggestions for future columns about notable Rhode Island women, past and present.
The Rhode Island Democratic Women’s Caucus seeks to impact government and political processes in order to ensure equality in power, influence, and economic status for those who identify as and with women. We will do this by (a) recruiting and supporting candidates in all levels of government and (b) advocating for Democratic principles consistent with the Democratic Party platform.
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The New Bedford Light
New Bedford Event Honors Transgender Victims Lost to Violence, 11/23/21
“Forty-six area residents sat for more than 40 minutes on the cold steps of the New Bedford Free Public Library last weekend and honored 46 people that few if any of them knew.
They held placards with the names and likenesses of the 46 transgender individuals who have lost their lives to violence since Jan. 1 in this country. They did it because even though they may not have known these individuals personally, they know folks like them. And what an uphill battle it can be for trans and gender non-conforming people to simply live their lives out in public in truth.
… Also speaking Saturday was the Rev. Donnie Anderson, the interim minister of Pilgrim United Church of Christ in New Bedford, who spoke of her own journey as a religious leader who came out at age 69.
“As a transgender woman, as a transgender minister, I don’t have to tell you that the Christian Church has not, and often continues not, to be terribly friendly to our community,” she said.
She wanted to honor Pilgrim United for having the courage to call a transgender minister, she said, and she asked people to recommit to fighting for a world more friendly to transgender people. And she urged those present to fight that fight with an attitude of love, not the hate they themselves have experienced.
“One of the things I have found is that as we have gained more acceptance, the organizational resistance to our acceptance has also gained momentum,” she said. “And there’s a battle to be fought.”