Fresh Lev White

Fresh “Lev” White’s profile in the back of the anthology Transcending: Trans Buddhist Voices reads that Lev, “Is a spiritual human being, manifested as an African American, who has chosen to medically transition from female to male, in order to express their spiritual self physically, as beyond gender.”1

This statement is a wonderful introduction to the richness of this Buddhist practitioner and teacher. The next important note is that Lev uses the pronouns he/him/his, they/them/theirs, and Love. These pronouns are used interchangeably throughout this profile as Lev’s deep and varied experiences in spiritual practice, community, and leadership are explored. Currently, Love’s spiritual practice is grounded in Buddhism, with a foundation of meditation and compassion they teach at their spiritual homes East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC) and Spirit Rock Meditation Center. But, their spiritual journey did not start in Buddhism. As a self described “spiritual seeker” Lev has had experience with various forms of Christianity, Judaism, Wicca/Paganism, Hinduism, Taoism, Toltec, and Shamanism.

Growing up in the Northern Bronx neighborhood of New York City, Lev experienced a very diverse neighborhood. They were able to interact with people from different cultures and ethnicities and most importantly, befriend them. The experiences he had with people of the varied identities of his neighborhood helped Love to understand in basic terms that everybody is suffering. Growing up, Love's family would attend an Episcopalian church, this is where they first remember an inclination to teach and lead. Lev would bring the teachings they would learn at Sunday school to their siblings and other close family children, teaching their own version of Sunday school in the basement of their family home. Lev was called at an early age to relationship with spirit and leadership, essentially on the path before they knew about spiritual paths. This has been a gift they have leaned into and developed.

Lev would find that community, especially LGBTQIA+ community, was an important part of their spiritual life. He would find himself in and supporting many communities as they have progressed on their spiritual journey. In the late 1980’s Lev moved from New York to Washington DC for a few years before moving to San Francisco. They recall being the first, if not one of the first, drag kings of Washington DC, performing to raise money for national AIDS groups like the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Once established in San Francisco, Lev would find a calling in Shamanistic work exercising spirits and providing healing for folks around the diverse communities in the Bay Area.

Love experienced his transition toward teaching a Buddhist mindfulness practice when they were invited to participate in a Queer Men's Group, even before they transitioned. After practicing for some time with this group, Lev was invited to teach mindfulness to teens in 2013. They were able to offer a transgender allied training at Spirit Rock in 2015. After this event, once everyone was gone, except for a friend, Lev took a picture of themself at the altar at Spirit Rock with the intention of one day teaching there. He was called to attend various classes and trainings that would further Love’s spiritual path. Lev attended EBMC’s Dedicated to Dharma class series taught by Larry Yang and Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leader and Dedicated Practitioner Program. They have been teaching at each center since.

Lev has based much of his teaching and community work in the San Francisco Bay Area. San Francisco Pride declared Fresh “Lev” White Pride Marshall in 2016. They have been published as a contributor to Transcending: Trans Buddhist Voices, Real World Mindfulness for Beginners, and Trans Bodies; Trans Selves. In their writing, talks, and meditations Lev teaches love and self-compassion as gateways to healing. These themes are included in the trans and queer ally and diversity trainings Lev leads. Through Affirmative Acts Counseling, Lev has offered spiritual counseling, life coaching, Queer and Trans Ally training to many individuals and organizations. They lead meditation retreats for QTPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities at a few retreat centers around the country.

Each of these experiences is part of Lev’s spiritual calling. Lev does not feel like Love’s spiritual leadership path is one that they ever needed to force or chase. Lev has been called to spiritual leadership, so he would rather continue to be called, and get out of the way of spirit, rather than fight against or control the experience. Lev says, “I thrive on imperfection. I only know how to be how I know how to be, a little goofy and grounded in it with lots of love and compassion.”2

1 Kevin Manders and Elizabeth Marston, Transcending: Trans Buddhist Voices (North Atlantic Books, 2019), 263.
2 Fresh “Lev” White, Interview with the author, November 12, 2024.

(This biographical profile was written by Keith Felicity Something for a fall 2024 Queer & Trans Theology class at the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and was reviewed by Lev White.)

Sources:

• Affirmative Acts Coaching, Mindfulness, and Training. “About Us.” Accessed December 11, 2024. https://affirmativeacts.org/about-us/
• Fresh “Lev” White. Interview with author via Zoom. November 12, 2024.
• Manders, Kevin, and Elizabeth Marston. Transcending: Trans Buddhist Voices. North Atlantic Books, 2019.

Biography Date: November 2025

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