Carlos--a third-generation U.S. citizen from New Jersey whose family emigrated from Colombia many years before Carlos was born--is often complimented on how articulate he is and asked how long he has been in the United States.

Deborah, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who is up for election as church treasurer, has her qualifications questioned, debated, and scrutinized by the congregation far more than any of her male predecessors who were elected with a simple vote.

Lisa, a male-to-female transgender person, attends a Sunday school where her classmates continue to refer...