Demographically, I represent the classic clergy partner — I am a woman married to a male minister. But let me just take a moment to do a little consciousness-raising on this issue (good child of the 60’s that I am…). Most denominations have men, women and transgendered people in the pulpit. For those clergy in intimate relationships, the partner may be any of the above in any combination. Penny Preacher may be a transgendered woman still married to her wife of 30 years. Or Paul Pastor may be in a committed partnership with John Jones, unable to marry because of the law, not their choice. 

We of the clergy partner horde come in all genders, colors, ages and partnership forms. And some of us are clergy too, which is its own special type of challenge, I would think! But I think there are things that we share in common, which is why I write. No matter your religious tradition or station in life, being partnered with a person who has devoted his or her life to the service of “the spirit” changes your life. It is an honorable and challenging life to take on, and I just wanted to remind everyone that all kinds of people have done so.