BUDDHADHARMA: THE PRACTITIONER’S QUARTERLY 19
LA SARMIENTO: When I think of the trad-
itional loving-kindness phrases I was
taught early in my practice, this immedi-
ately comes to mind:
May all beings be happy.
May all beings be peaceful.
May all beings be free from suffering.
May all beings awaken and be free.
As a genderqueer person, hearing
those words, I could finally feel a sense
of belonging in a world that would rather
deny my civil rights, my relationships,
and my existence.
I once considered ordaining as a
monastic. But when I discovered that in
Myanmar novice monks wore white robes
and the women wore bubblegum pink
robes, and there was no possibility of
wearing the sherbet-swirl robe that would
most represent me, that sense of external
belonging faded away. For me to feel a
sense of liberation was to claim internally
that I already belonged—no matter what.
How can Buddhists be more welcom-
ing and inclusive to trans and gender-
queer community members? The answer
is to be a buddha, not just a Buddhist.
Dominant-culture sangha members can
begin by examining their own implicit
biases that keep their hearts and minds
closed toward trans and gender non-
conforming people. A buddha embod-
ies compassion, acceptance, kindness,La Sarmiento is a retreat teacher, as well as a guiding teacher of the People of Color
and LGBTQ sanghas, at Insight Meditation Community of Washingtonnonjudgment, and unconditional love;
from that place, sanghas can compas-
sionately make space for, and consider,
and meet, the needs of trans and gender-
nonconforming members by taking up
the following:
· Honor and use preferred pronouns.
· Don’t assume one’s gender based on
the way someone’s body looks or how
their voice sounds.
· Find sources to educate yourself and
the sangha about trans issues (without
simply relying on trans and gender-
queer yogis to educate you about trans
issues).
· Provide all-gender restrooms at meet-
ing venues and all-gender accommoda-
tions and bathrooms at retreats.
· Offer a trans and genderqueer affin-
ity group and events led by trans and
gender queer teachers.
· Cultivate trans and genderqueer prac-
titioners who are ready to be teachers
and leaders of the sangha.
An incredible and powerful resource
created by trans Buddhists for sanghas
and retreat centers is available at
transbuddhists.org.
May we all truly embody and mani-
fest true compassion, radical acceptance,
and deeper understanding for ourselves
and each other as we journey toward
SUZ liberation.ANNE^ K
ULPERGER