Danica Roem: Internet Reacts to First Transgender Official

November 8, 2017 11:18 AM EST

One man’s question for Christians about a transgender politician has quickly backfired.

After Democrat Danica Roem became Virginia’s first openly transgender elected official, defeating incumbent Del. Robert G. Marshall on Tuesday, one Nashville man took to Twitter with a question.

Andrew T. Walker, the director for the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, appeared to voice concern about how Christian parents would prepare their children for the history-making news.

“Christian parents, the nation’s first transgender elected official enters into American history tonight. What are you doing to prepare your children for this new world?” he asked in a tweet Tuesday night.

Christians parents and non-parents, people of the cloth, priests, rabbis and plenty of believers had answers. One theme stood out: resounding love for everyone.

Walker’s tweet quickly spread on the wings of critics blasting him for his question, as many of the responses invoked scripture. His original tweet has garnered nearly 6,000 responses and 289 retweets as of Wednesday.

“We’re celebrating, one Christian parent shared, continuing, “We’re preparing our son to embrace difference, not fear or discriminate against it.”

Another user, turned to Bob Dylan’s iconic 1964 song “The Times They Are A-Changin'” that explored progress of the times.

See below for a sampling of the many responses.

Good question. Here's a possible answer: everyone, no matter who they are or what they look like, is a beloved child of God, with infinite dignity and beauty, and should be reverenced as a beautiful creation. https://t.co/nCHX0bmZpe
— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) November 8, 2017

Christian parent here. We're celebrating. We're preparing our son to embrace difference, not fear or discriminate against it. https://t.co/1dricxi1oR
— Rachel Held Evans (1981-2019) (@rachelheldevans) November 8, 2017

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'.
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand.
The times, they are a changing. https://t.co/x9UBOjMGEf
— Michael Tisserand (@m_tisserand) November 8, 2017

I’m a Jewish parent. I’ve already prepared my son by teaching him not to be a narrow-minded hate-filled bigot. https://t.co/dcLHljrj4Q
— Charles Gaba ✡️ (@charles_gaba) November 8, 2017

So like, I know it goes against every internet instinct you have, but I honestly recommend reading the comments to this post.https://t.co/p9PbcdzVD1
— 👾Rani Timekey Baker, ファミコンのノイズチャンネル $400C-$400F (@destroyed4com4t) November 8, 2017

I'd tell them: God is great. The diversity of our nation is its' strength, and that good people stand against small-minded bigotry. https://t.co/3Av72gMvsy
— Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) November 8, 2017

Hi Andrew! This Christian parent will point her kids to scripture: in Christ, there is no male and female. I’ll remind them that the most repeated scripture is: FEAR NOT. I’ll remind them to rebuke fear mongers like you. I’ll remind them that fear might get votes: but Love Wins. https://t.co/vWyh3sEGOx
— Glennon Doyle (@GlennonDoyle) November 8, 2017

Can’t wait to bring children into a world where differences are celebrated instead of osctracized. Last night was a beautiful moment, and praise God for it. https://t.co/QM6aM5JFWJ
— Rev. Dr. Rob Lee (@LAvbrehtt) November 8, 2017

Even if you disagree. Even if you’re confused. Even if you don’t understand. Even if you’re uncomfortable. Even if you think you’re right. Love your neighbor as yourself. That’s what I’ll teach them.

And that’s what the new world needs. https://t.co/G5NmXYekxx
— Nate Pyle (@NatePyle79) November 8, 2017

Christians Took to Twitter to Rebuke This Man’s Tweet About a Transgender Politician

More Must-Reads from TIME