NEWEST BUDDHIST ON THE BLOCK

"Through the example of one person all living beings become equal."-Gosho Zenshu

Those closely watching Pride Week may have noted an event on Spirituality Day on June 26 sponsored by a gay Buddhist group, "An Introduction to Nichiren Daisonin's Buddhism." A Gay Buddhist group?

Given Buddhism's emphasis on nonviolence and respect for all life, most forms of the faith tradition in this country already support diversity. But the folks who chant nam-myoho-renge-kyo are now specifically organizing as GLBT Buddhists within their group, SGI-USA (which stands for Soka Gakkai International).

Rose Ann Mancias has been the prime mover behind the formation of the Houston gay Buddhist group, Living Out Loud. In March 2001, Mancias attended a conference for GLBT SGI-ers, the first of its kind. Although planned only as a national conference, word spread and people came from all over the world.

"We knew from the moment we had done our first evening prayer together, we knew it was a historic moment, and that it was our purpose to work for world peace," Mancias said. "We were all acknowledged for being unique and precious, and apologies for any transgression that had happened up to that moment."

When Mancias returned, she started Living Out Loud, which meets at the SGI community center. "We have an infancy here of a group-all ages, all levels of being out, different levels of education-wanting to expose the community to what is out there," she says.

The group's basic premise is to put oneself in rhythm with the universe through the chanting of nam-myoho-renge-kyo, which is the essence of the Lotus Sutra. (Although there is no exact definition, nam means "devotion," myoho means "mystic law," renge means "the law of cause and effect," and kyo means "sutra," or the "teaching of the Buddha.")

"By creating a cosmos of world peace within myself, becoming happy within my immediate environment, then I could radiate it out," Mancias said. "I want to carry this message to the gay community."

Everyone is welcome to Living Out Loud, which meets the second and third Saturdays at 7 p.m. at the SGI Houston community center, 3465 West Alabama. For information, leave a message at the community center, 713/622-6181, or email Rosewoman57@hotmail.com. In addition, World Peace Prayers are held at the community center at 10 a.m. on the first Saturday and Sunday of the month. -Ann Walton Sieber

JULY 9 FORUM ADDRESSES AFRICAN-AMERICAN ISSUES

A ground-breaking study of GLBT African Americans will serve as the catalyst for a community forum in Houston on Tuesday, July 9. Based on Say It Loud: I'm Black and I'm Proud, a report issued earlier this year by the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, the event in Houston is organized by the task force with the Donald R. Watkins Memorial Foundation and Houston Splash, the annual beach weekend that attracts a predominantly African-American audience. In 2000, Splash was one of eight events across the nation where individuals completed surveys that contributed to the study.

On July 9, the 6­8 p.m. forum will be held at a location to be announced. For more information, contact the Donald R. Watkins Memorial Foundation at 713/988-4900 or 1/866-HALT-HIV or the Houston Lesbian & Gay Community Center at 713/524-3818.

A panel of local African-American leaders will lead the discussion of issues facing the community in Houston. Panelists will include:

 Paul Guillory, moderator of The Men's Gathering

Steven Jerome, Houston Black Lesbian Gay Transgender Coalition director

Tamara Jones, legislative liaison to City Council member Ada Edwards

Dionne Redmond, doctoral student at Texas Southern University

 Steve Walker, Donald R. Watkins Memorial Foundation executive director.

Say It Loud: I'm Black and I'm Proud is a collaboration among nine black GLBT Pride organizations, a team of black researchers, and the task force. Representing the largest national, multi-city sample of black GLBT people ever surveyed on such a wide array of topics, the study found that HIV/AIDS, hate violence, and recognition of same-sex relationships to be the top policy priorities of black GLBT people.

The full report is available at www.ngltf.org/pi/index.cfm.

RELIGION NOTES

Twelve nonviolent protesters were arrested on June 11 when they took their message opposing Southern Baptist teachings against GLBT people to the floor of the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in St. Louis. An additional 38 people were arrested outside the America's Center trying to enter the meeting.

The protest was organized by Soulforce, an interfaith movement committed to ending spiritual violence perpetuated by religious policies and teachings against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. The action followed three years of efforts by Soulforce to discuss Southern Baptist policies and teachings, which protestors believe lead to spiritual and physical violence against GLBT people. Prior to the Baptist meeting, Soulforce co-founder and director Rev. Mel White asked SBC president Dr. James Merritt to join Soulforce in a press conference to denounce anti-gay rhetoric.

In May, the board of trustees of the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest in Austin amended its conduct policy on human sexuality to mirror the current position of the national church. "This action makes more explicit the possibility of homosexual or lesbian persons living in committed relationships being able to serve as faculty and staff or enrolling as students at the Seminary of the Southwest," said the Rt. Rev. Claude Payne, board chair, and the Very Rev. Durstan McDonald, seminary dean, in a joint statement following the annual pre-commencement board meeting on May 20 on the seminary campus.

First Metropolitan Community Church of Atlanta has released a GLBT-affirming gospel CD. Celebrate Hope features original music written and composed by music minister Dave Lambert. Selections, including "I Am Your Healer" and "Let Freedom Ring," can be downloaded in MP3 format at www.firstmcc.com, and the recording can also be ordered through the website ($19, $45 with a companion songbook).

7 GROUPS ALL TIED UP

Houston Black Tie Dinner has selected seven organizations as beneficiaries of the 2002 fund-raising dinner, scheduled for October 12 at the Inter-Continental Hotel:

Bering-Omega Community Services
H.A.T.C.H.
Lesbian Health Initiative
Montrose Counseling Center
Montrose Clinic
People With AIDS Coalition, Houston
Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church
Chree Boydstun and Carlos Reyes Jr. are event co-chairs.

KATE KENDALL SPEAKS AT UNCOMMON LEGACY BRUNCH

Kate Kendall, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, will speak at the Uncommon Legacy Foundation Extra Mile Awards Brunch on Sunday, July 28, at the Warwick Hotel. The event, beginning at 11:30 a.m., will include a silent auction and entertainment. Tickets are $60 each.

At the brunch, Uncommon Legacy Foundation will give the Uncommon Woman Award to Kendall. Presented every year, this honor recognizes an individual who supports the community both locally and nationally. The foundation will also present Extra Mile Awards to Pokey Anderson, Sandi Bubbert, Sandy Clough, Rev. Marilyn Meeker-Williams Dr. Sandy Scurrie, and Gail Swinney.

The Extra Mile Awards Brunch raises funds for scholarships for women and for organizations that serve the lesbian community.

This year, the National Center for Lesbian Rights marks 25 years as a leader in securing civil rights for lesbians. In 2001, the nonprofit organization served more than 3,000 clients nationwide. Kendall joined the center in 1994.

For tickets, contact Sandy Cough at 713/744-1744 or access www.uncommonlegacyhouston.org

HEALTH LEADERS MAKE PLANS FOR NATIONAL HEALTH SUMMIT IN AUGUST

Leaders in the field of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex health will converge on Boulder, Colorado, from August 21 through 25 for what is expected to be their largest summit and strategy session in over a decade. The National LGBTI Health Summit 2002 is organized by a ten-person collective under the umbrella of the Boulder County AIDS Project and received major funding from the Gill Foundation and Bristol Meyers Squibb.

Health activists, public health workers, medical professionals, HIV prevention leaders, and community-based service providers will convene in response to a range of challenges currently facing LGBTI health advocates nationwide. These factors include a dramatic drop-off of funding for non-profit organizations and LGBTI health clinics in the aftermath of the September 11 disasters, escalating controversies surrounding appropriate responses to transgender and intersex health concerns, and accusations by public health authorities of community irresponsibility in the face of rising gay male rates of sexually transmitted infections.

"We are coming together at a very critical time for LGBTI communities throughout the nation," said Eric Rofes, long-time community organizer and summit convener. "In Boulder, we intend to chart exciting new directions for the movement, strategize about new ways to assist our communities as they navigate the complex and fragile health care systems of our nation, and ignite new initiatives as we catapult our movement forward."

For more information about registration and community housing, contact Mark Beyer at 303/444-6121 or mark@bcap.org or visit the website at www.healthsummit2002.org. Limited scholarships and community housing are available.

CROSSROADS CLOSES

At press time, OutSmart learned that Crossroads Market Bookstore & Café will close in July. The store opened on West Alabama in 1994, then moved to 1111 Westheimer. The original Crossroads, on Oak Lawn in Dallas, will remain open.