Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Group (GLBT)....
 

Click here for the parade route.
Click here for the Goodale parking map.

My dear SGI-USA LGBT Group members whom I deeply respect and love! I truly congratulate you on holding your hope-filled FNCC conference. I am well aware that all of you have been making outstanding contributions to kosen-rufu of America. Please have a meaningful, wonderful conference as you polish your faith and practice.

My mentor Josei Toda once said, "When you fight hard in the world of the Soka Gakkai, you will definitely receive great benefits. As you struggle, you will surely expand your life capacity, strengthen your life force and enrich your lives. I hope that all of you will receive and enjoy immeasurable benefits." The Buddhist teachings assure us that those who suffer the most will absolutely become the happiest. I ask all of you to cherish your own individuality, fulfill your diverse missions on your noble stages and score victory after victory throughout your lives by resonantly chanting daimoku and infinitely expanding your life-condition, embracing the vast universe.

Nichiren Daishonin states, "'Myo' means to revive, that is, to return to life." (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol. 1 p. 149) The Mystic Law is the driving force to purify and refresh our lives each day. Our lives become stronger and richer as we pray, exchange heart-to-heart dialogue, and take sincere action for our fellow members and for the sake of kosen-rufu.

Let us proudly, energetically, and courageously walk along the great path of kosen-rufu together with our comrades in faith and together with me.  I am single-mindedly praying for your good health and further achievements.

May 15, 2009
Daisaku Ikeda
President - Soka Gakkai International

Gayla Preston

On June 28th, 2008, the morning of the Columbus Ohio Pride March, I was afforded the great opportunity of participating in the Intertraditional Celebration of Life and Community service, with several other GLBT supportive religious organizations, to begin the march with positive and protective energy.

It was my pleasure to be among such groups as St Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, Humanist Community of Central Ohio, First Congregational Church, New Creation Metropolitan Community Church, King Avenue United Methodist Church, St Stephens Episcopal Church, Green Faerie Grove and the Three Cranes Grove Druid Fellowship.

All of these groups participated in the parade, all with great support from their members...

The following message is what I chose to share with others, which was received with great applause and cheers.....

Good Morning,

My name is Gayla Preston and I want to thank you for this great opportunity this morning.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo...

....translated means, "The Devotion to the Law of Cause and Effect through Sound"

Chanting this mantra is done by some 12 million people, in over 190 countries and territories and is also referred to as, Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism.

Nichiren Daishonin, a 13th century Japanese monk, established the practice of chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, in 1253.

According to Nichiren, "There should be no discrimination among those who propagate the five characters of Myoho Renge Kyo in the Latter Day of the Law, be they men or women. Were they not  Bodhisattvas of the Earth, they could not chant the daimoku." (WND, 385)

Nichiren Buddhist practitioners study the last sutra expounded by the original Buddha, known as the Lotus Sutra. The philosophy of this essential teaching is for each human being, no matter the race, the age, the gender or sexual orientation, to recognize their own inherent Buddha nature and to be able to create a life of indestructible happiness and joy.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, Nam Myoho Renge Kyo

Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity. Don't forget to stop by our booth at the rally.

Read Sensei's message for the GLBT conference, May 4-6, 2007, at FNCC.

Read 2007 GLBT Activity Guidelines.

To the noble comrades of the SGI-USA LGBT Group whom I cherish and respect!

I send you my heartfelt congratulations on the holding of your hope-filled conference at the Florida Nature and Culture Center.  I am well aware that you have been exerting yourselves for the advancement of American kosen-rufu.  I truly admire all your efforts.  There is no doubt that the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the entire universe are praising you for your great dedication.

Buddhism makes it possible for us to bring forth our innate, brilliant humanity to the fullest, enabling us to manifest it through our unpretentious, natural behavior as genuinely human beings.  What counts is your heart, your earnestness and your sincerity, not your position or your status.  One is worthy of respect who struggles for kosen-rufu and the development of the SGI.  Such an individual is indeed great.

Please respect one another while chanting daimoku resoundingly with the spirit of 'many in body, but one in mind'.  I hope you will continue to advance fearlessly, no matter what may happen to you.  Please be true to yourselves, and forge ahead cheerfully in a manner that fits your character.I am sending daimoku to you with the prayer that you will enjoy good health, living your life spiritedly and youthfully.  Please convey my best regards to your family, partners and friends.

Daisaku Ikeda
President - Soka Gakkai International
5 May 2006

Thank you and congratulations to everyone participating in this year's 2004 GLBT Pride events. Your spirit to volunteer in your community based pride celebrations are most important for the advancement of kosen-rufu and to create our Ever-Victorious America. Because of your tireless effort and dedication to spread the teachings of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, you are
building the foundation of an unshakable castle of your life.

As President Ikeda shared "Cherry, peach, plum and damson have their own quality and they manifest the three properties of the original Buddha without changing their own character." Please maintain your unshakeable conviction that you are a Bodhisattva of the Earth. I want all of you to become the happiest individuals filled with vast dreams and a noble sense of mission to contribute to a better world! Through your great joy and victory, let's vigorously create a whirlpool of propagation, sharing the greatness of our philosophy to help others become truly happy in the depths of their lives. I am sincerely praying for the great success of your event and for the safety of all the participants. Once again, thank you very much!
 

June 2004
Danny Nagashima
SGI-USA General Director
 

On May 5 GLBT, friends and kittens gathered to make origami cranes for the upcoming Pride parade on June 26.

Read Danny Nagashima's letter to the 2004 GLBT FNCC attendees.

Read Sensei's encouragement to GLBT at the April 23-26, 2004, FNCC!

On July 3, 2003, Tim Gardner graciously hosted our first ever Red, White & Boom soiree.  Approximately 20 plus were in attendance who viewed Columbus' finest fireworks from the 6th floor balcony of Summit Chase.  Good food, good people and, of course, Duncan, who wanted nothing to do with the puppy.  All in all, a wonderful evening!

The 2003 Columbus Gay Pride Parade saw over 50,000 marchers with almost as many supporters lining the streets to cheer us on.   Flyers and invitations were passed out to marchers for the new members meeting, sponsored by Chanting Out Loud on July 12, 2003, from 1-3 pm at the SGI-USA Community Center.  Check out the photo gallery of this colorful event!

Read General Director Danny Nagashima's encouragement to GLBT for 2003 Pride.

Read Sensei's encouragement to GLBT at the May 15-18, 2003, FNCC!

GLBT members attended the GLBT Midwest Conference at Ohio State University on February 15, 2003, and manned a table at the event.  For details, check out Linda Thornburg's article and a photos of some of the attendees.

To contact the GLBT Group for more information, send your email to Buddhawest webmaster or call Monic at 614-204-1420.