India's first transgender pastor, a 25-year-old who is in charge of a small congregation in the southern city of Chennai, is from a leading evangelical denomination, whose bishop cautiously says his church's constitution does not bar a transgender from being ordained.

Leaders of Union United Methodist Church, a historically black congregation in the South End, said Youth Space drop-in center is an extension of their mission to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and serve all people, including those in the margins of society and those who have been disenfranchised.

Measure would prohibit discrimination Opponents of a proposal to protect transgender people from discrimination in Baltimore County urged the County Council on Monday to defeat the measure, saying they fear the bill could have unintended consequences.