We wanted to once again say the history of the LGBTQ+ community is at the core of Issan-ji Temple/HSZC it was what founded our temple, then Maitri Hospice and is deeply woven into the majority of the lives of those who have practiced here, lead, passed into the beyond inside our walls, cared for the community and is not an identity or aspect of us, but our full lives. We are among the first and very few spaces that have been a beacon of light in the darkness of times when rights and equal treatment was a dream, when it in many ways rights and equal treatment was realized and continues as we press forward to preserve and expand it. Our end need is that of equal lives and societal treatment and religiously viewed healthy and legitimate full adult lives and nothing less.
As we carry our flag forward even as its design sometimes evolves we want remind all: that love is at the source of our fight, our needs, what we celebrate and reflect on as we press forward our born right to be the same value as all other human beings on this planet. The LGBTQ+ people including the beautiful broad spectrum of gender expression has always been and always will be part of the human story.
We all know our love and support of each other will as always win any biases or hate in the end.
Please have a very joyous, safe and love filled SF Pride Weekend (San Francisco timing of pride events) and we continue to look forward to seeing you here in the community finding the core of our being encompassed and permeated with boundless light… which is love.