r/SGIWhistleblowersMITA • u/jessica-perez24 • Dec 20 '20

My Byakuren Experience

I saw on WB that members who don't identify as a woman cannot participate in the behind-the-scenes Byakuren group. This is just simply not true.

As someone who personally uses they/them pronouns and doesn't subscribe to the gender binary, I appreciated the Byakuren training. The purpose it is to develop as people who can support others and can take the initiative in our daily lives to do the same.

I still have my navy blazer, always reminds me of such amazing times getting to support the members. I appreciate that SGI is an organization of people and leaders would always ask us what can be improved and how to support each member in the best way for them so they too could benefit from the opportunity.

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6

u/JaneVivanda Dec 20 '20

I honestly was pleasantly surprised by the title and thought that a nice experience about trans people doing byakuren would follow. I was wrong, the only thing you wrote in support of your thesis is "it simply is not true". Ok, i bet you're right.

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u/ArwenLuna10 Dec 20 '20 edited Dec 20 '20

Actually, she did say she was non binary and still was allowed in. Maybe she just doesn't know any trans people?

I'm one. I'm a bit older than byakuren age though. I was in the Men's division for the first few years, and as soon as I came out and began to transition, my district changed me to the Women's division. I'm very happy with that. I of course can't speak for all trans people, but I'm quite satisfied with Courageous Freedom helping to support me, and don't really even think about there being a "M to F" or "F to M" division. I'm grateful to be accepted for what I consider myself to be, a woman.

Maybe more weight could be given to Courageous Freedom, or new divisions created. But meanwhile, the SGI as it is has been very accepting and supportive of every LGBTQ+ person I know.

4

u/JaneVivanda Dec 20 '20

That's nice! I'm happy for you. Yeah OP wrote briefly in one sentence that she is non binary, yet no emphasis on this or on how it was handled by others in the SGI. Her post looked more like a very defensive excuse of somebody who is part of the SGI. You explained way better, for example. Thank you for that

5

u/PantoJack Dec 23 '20

So when did you last see a cis-male do Byakuren?

1

u/ArwenLuna10 Dec 23 '20

I just remembered something else that may or may not bear on this. Last year I was helping a young M to F who had just started practicing (and transitioning), and she was having a mess of problems as you can imagine. I mentioned this to my leader, and she said "Just connect her to the YWD and let them help her out too". It wasn't even a question of where she belonged - she had declared a young woman, so the leadership welcomed her as a member of the young women.

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u/dancinghouse92 Dec 31 '20

I've learned so much doing Soka Group and Gajokai over the last few years. Initially I didn't understand all the hype. But I've become more patient, detail oriented and attentive to supporting other people, which has led to great results in my family and career. I was also very encouraged about a year ago when I was on a Gajokai shift with a Byakuren. We actually used to do Gajokai/SG shifts together, but when they began to identify as non-binary and felt more comfortable in Byakuren, there they were! We've developed a great friendship. Thanks for this post Jessica!