Buddhism Christianity Hinduism
Welcome!
Like many queer folks, for me, my faith has always been an important part of life. Being born into a Hindu family, it took me traveling through a landscape of religions to arrive at Buddhism. Like many other religions, Buddhism also has homophobic, transphobic components, and not all mainstream proponents of Buddhism are queer affirming. But also like any other religion queerness is part of Buddhism in its myths, stories, readings and people! As a trans feminine non-binary monastic thanks to the wisdom of Buddha and the kindness of my teachers and sangha, I believe Buddhism can be queer-inclusive. In fact, I believe Buddhism is queer, Buddha’s teachings help us and encourage us to investigate and analyze everything and to see it in a new light, with a different view, which brings us closer to the possibility of becoming free from ignorance and suffering. Similarly, queerness opens our hearts and minds, letting free our curiosity, inquisitiveness; helps us challenge the status-quo of oppression and injustice; offers the world a different way of living and loving, a non-restrictive way, affirming the human experiences outside conventions!
As my queerness and I found a home in Buddhism, I believe these resources could come in handy to queer folks who are Buddhists or interested in Buddhism.
Tashi Choedup
they/she
If you know of other resources that would be helpful for LGBTQ+ youth, please send them our way at hello@belovedarise.org.
Organization & Programs
International Queer Buddhist Conference →
The IQBC is not meant to be only a platform for scientific exchange, but also a safe space for open communication, connecting, and learning from each other. Thus, IQBC solicits a wide range of contributions, also in meditation, and especially in artsy expressions, whether it is paintings, photography, film, dance and much more.
Buddhists across Traditions is UK BPOC/BAME-centered collective (with white allies and currently white-led organisations) uniting Buddhist and Mindfulness groups in service of racial justice, social equity and healing. Our practices can help blossom a radically different society – “beloved communities”
Jamyang London Buddhist Centre/Rainbow Sangha LGBTQ+ Buddhists Gathering →
Established in 1978, Jamyang Buddhist Center London provides a place for the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism in the Mahayana tradition following the lineage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. As part of their community wellbeing they have a Rainbow Sangha as part of which they host ocassional queer events and frequent queer gatherings.
Rainbow Sangha is a Indonesian Queer mindfulness community inspired by Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh. Aims at providing inclusiveness, healthy community and safe space for LBGTQIA+ people.
Transbuddhists is a small collective of Buddhist practitioners from different traditions who seek to address systemic exclusion of transgender and gender nonconforming people from Buddhist spaces.
Founded in May 2014, it is a open access, peer led, Buddhist meditation sangha is an entirely volunteer-run, non profit community. They hold the intersection of meditation and social justice at our centre and aim to expand Dharma and meditation practice to a more diverse urban community, who are interested in self liberation and social change. They provide daylong retreats with visiting teachers throughout the year as well as peer led weekly and monthly groups.
Rainbodhi LGBTQIA+ Buddhist Community →
Rainbodhi is a spiritual friendship group for LGBTQIA+ Buddhists and an advocate for more inclusion and diversity in the broader Buddhist community. They offer meditation, Dhamma discussion and social events in a safe, supportive environment. They welcome everyone regardless of race, gender, sexuality, or ability. Rainbodhi is a non-sectarian Buddhist group, welcoming people from all faiths or with no faith. All their events are free.
Rainbow Sangha – Plum Village, UK →
Rainbow Sangha is an online weekly practice space for those who self-identify as LGBTQIA+ – lesbian, gay, bi, trans, non-binary, gender fluid, bi-gender, gender diverse, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, agender… and more.
Quick reads
Books
Check out our Buddhist & Queer booklist on Amazon for more book recommendations. We continue to add books to this list, so check back often!
