CBT Marches in Cleveland Pride Parade

The Cleveland Buddhist Temple again participated in the Pride in the CLE march and festival on June 7 when over 25,000 members and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community gathered downtown. The temple was one of 25 religious groups. 

“We knew our group was gathering in the right place when we saw a sign proclaiming, ‘Buddhists with Pride,’’ said John Barnes, Minister Assistant of the CBT and the organizer of the Sangha’s parade unit. “People stopped to ask about our temple. We had handouts with CBT information for those who asked.” 

The overall Pride in the CLE messages conveyed love, empathy, compassion, inclusion, justice and kindness. Many of the parents from the religious groups brought their children, demonstrating that they practiced the values they were promoting. 

With such a warm welcome, it was easy to believe the T-shirt messages, including “This pastor loves you,” "This bishop loves you,” or "This pastor’s kid loves you.”

As the Sangha members walked the one-mile route, those values were on full display. Marchers regularly left the route, running to the spectators to offer the “free mom hugs” and “free dad hugs” that their shirts invited. They embraced as if they were not strangers, but family.

The first four words on the Cleveland Buddhist Temple’s website are “come as you are.” Pride in the CLE demonstrated that central Shin Buddhist theme. Pride in the CLE celebrates each person’s authentic self on full display. Everyone was welcomed, exactly as they were.”