Trans Queer Dharma & Transbuddhists.org

I wanted to share with you some pieces of writing that have come my way in the past while which I think are very important for our sanghas to pay attention to. As someone who tries to be very mindful of inclusion when I see a new face attending sangha events or retreats, I think there is quite a ways to go for our groups in truly embracing the concept of embracing all individuals without prejudice. In discussion groups it’s very easy to maintain one’s ego and be quite limited with out own experiences, projections and perceptions and we owe it to our sangha-mates, as well as society as a whole to truly listen, not judge and accept that our point of view should be fluid and not fixed.

It’s with this intention of encouraging discussion both online as well as within our various groups that I wish to share these two important documents.

First off, I was contacted by Shaun Bartone who shared with me a paper they had written titled ‘Conduct Unbecoming: a Trans*Queer Experience of Dharma’. It’s a powerful and finely executed piece of writing that cites Nine Inch Nails, Foucault, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche and Noah Levine. Yes. You read that correctly. You can’t fault me hoping with ever bit of my being that Shaun will start a Buddhablog

After reading ‘Conduct Unbecoming: a Trans*Queer Experience of Dharma’ , it broke my heart to know that in BUDDHIST GROUPS we are not demonstrating compassion and understanding for individual experiences of the Dharma. Take this even further that this is even within the LGBTIQ sangha. *Mindblown*

My experience as a trans*queer meditator in Buddhism has yielded a certain experiential truth: 1) I have a particular perspective on Dharma and the meditation experience as a trans*queer person; and 2) this experience is not well understood by other Dharma practitioners, even those members of the sangha who identify as LGBTIQ….

The resistance I feel from my sangha friends toward my trans* experience of the dharma is too much like the resistance I get from the straight world. The straight world doesn’t tolerate gender ambiguity, or the idea that there is no fixed identity. But the Buddhist world is equally offended that I ask questions, that I insist on the reality of my trans*queer experience. What I get from my sangha friends is the same kind of fixed, rigid thinking about experience, the same kind of resistance to change that I get from the straight world.

 

 

Now to direct you to Transbuddhists.org for some hope…

We are a small collective of Buddhist practitioners from different traditions who seek to address systemic exclusion of transgender and gender nonconforming people from Buddhist spaces. Through our Developing Trans*Competence guide, our website, and in-person workshops, we work to support all sanghas in having the information and resources they need to be welcoming to trans*people. We serve as a forum for trans* practitioners to receive help with challenges related to residential practice logistics and community-related issues. We believe that the refuge and connection available through shared dharma practice hold great healing power and are dedicated to making them more accessible.

We recognize the interconnection of struggles experienced by individuals of all social identities, including races, classes, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, abilities, cultures, and ethnicities. We stand in solidarity with and support other efforts to make Buddhism more inclusive in this country.

Their group has created a downloadable booklet titled ‘Developing Trans*Competence: A Short Guide to Improving Transgender Experiences at Meditation and Retreat Centers‘  which you must read, share and spread widely. Bonus points if your sangha or retreat centre uses it in a discussion group. Extra bonus points if your sangha/retreat centre puts the suggestions within this guide into practice.

I also must draw attention to the Appendix within this document as it features an excellent list of resources by those who are working toward greater inclusion based on race, age, gender and disability as well as a list of additional reading materials on trans and gender non-conforming issues.

I implore you to read both of these pieces and do what you can to begin to work towards inclusion. If you have any questions, please leave a comment on this post and I will work to obtain some answers or feedback or please email transbuddhists- at- gmail.com.

I am here as an ally to help work towards sanghas that are understanding, compassionate and safe. May this post be the start of the greater discussion both online and in our various face to face groups.

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