News
Nov. 12 - Ex-gay conferences come to West Palm Beach
Nov. 10 - Jeff Lutes resigns as Soulforce Executive Director
Nov. 04 - Maine Votes To Overturn Marriage Equality For LGBT People
Oct. 29 - An IN THE LIFE Special Presentation: Preacher’s Sons
Oct. 29 - Religion-based Prejudice is the Maine Problem
Oct. 23 - Soulforce conference featured in article by Wayne Besen in South Florida Blade.
2008 Equality Ride Blog
Abby's entry November 4, 2008 - US Historic Election Day
Hope Headed Home
“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” – Barack Obama
I sit at ease in Philadelphia as I write this, thinking about my grandmother. She was born on the very Election Day in which women could first vote. My great-grandmother was going into labor, but made it to the polls to cast her vote and then directly proceeded to the hospital to give birth.
This is part of why I needed to fly home from the Ride for less than twenty-four hours to cast my vote when my absentee ballot never arrived. I had been calling County Election Offices and was reassured it would arrive on time. So when we left Dallas last Friday, the deadline for absentee ballots in Pennsylvania, and it had yet to arrive, all I could do was make my way back to my bus seat and cry.
I felt very much like many of the students we meet along this journey: voiceless. I had waited so long to be able to tell my government who I wanted as my representative and that opportunity vanished. I started thinking about my grandmother and all the years she had lived in a nation that failed to recognize the value of her opinion. I thought about all the women across the world who still live in nations that deny them the right to elect those who represent and regulate their lives. I thought about the countless immigrants in this country who work and toil and contribute daily to the economy in this country, but remain invisible in the electoral process. I thought about all these things and began to feel ashamed that I had not put forth more effort to assure my vote. “Maybe I should have called sooner… three times rather than two… five times if necessary.” I admit much of the work on the Ride is distracting, but I felt irresponsible; if I was traveling the country to fight for the voice of others, why had I neglected to secure that of my own?
A few of my close female Riders witnessed this devastation and tried to talk me into allowing them to buy me a plane ticket home to vote. We talked for a few hours, as I called other people in my life for second opinions. When I started to envision myself on election night hearing the results, whatever the outcome, I knew I would not able to feel like a true citizen if my vote was not part of that process. With a last recommendation from a message from my boyfriend’s mother, and my roommate Lauren’s fingers at the computer keys to type in my name at an airline ticket website, I agreed.
So I flew 1,100 miles yesterday from Little Rock, Arkansas to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to cast my vote. I slept on my mother’s couch and awoke this morning to feed my two-month old niece, the first girl born to any of my siblings. It felt somehow connected in a way, like I had come home for her. Then I explained to my three-year-old nephew why I was home for a night. I hope that he understands later in life when he hears this story retold, as I heard about my great-grandmother. In many ways, the work I do on the Equality Ride and in making this choice is as much for them as it is for the LGBT community. I want to make a world for them that is without division, where children are not afraid of being rejected from their families and communities, where people are no longer muted, for any reason. As the aunt of a girl, four biracial boys, and a child with autism, representatives of communities in this country that have and continue to be silenced, I see it as my duty to bring that change, to see to that they are never bound by the expectations or beliefs of others about who they are and were born to be. And while I will elect an official to help in that process, I know, as I look at this baby girl, that the future is very much in my own hands.
Jarrett's entry October 29, 2008
Scott Camp, the charismatic Dean of Students at Southwestern Assemblies of God University, introduced himself. One by one, he proceeded to greet each of the Equality Riders, asking our names and such. Smiling wide, he occasionally made small talk. With me, the topic was baseball and the apparent rise of the Phillies, my hometown team. He shook our hands too, some with a bit more virility. Then, after several friendly exchanges, Scott returned to the pavement, joining a small assembly of his colleagues and students. He bowed his head in supplication and went on to pray, "May the love of Christ fill our circle." Unfortunately, there was no circle.
Instead, there were two parallel lines, us and them. In a very real sense, we were divided and distant from Southwestern delegates. Administrators had decided that property and policy were more important than people. And to enforce that judgment, they called upon the local police. The explanation offered by the university was succinct, "This is where we’re at. But we love you." With just one conjunction they acknowledged, somewhat inadvertently, the discrepancy between their deeds and their words. Ironically, that dissonance gave me hope. For it is within the consciousness of conflict that healing happens. I, along with everyone present, was witness to that today.
The first crowd, including Scott, eventually dispersed. But, new ones, hearing of our vigil, quickly appeared. So, the thirteen of us remained, engaging them. We stood in the bright Texas sun for five hours, sharing all that time would allow. Fingers danced through Bibles as we led our peers into scripture, challenging their views of gender and sexuality, confusing a monotonous language. Like I told one young woman I met, diversity is an opportunity to learn love, which, according to 1 John 4:8, is tantamount to knowing God. Theos ein agape. God is love.
As I stood on the outside, looking in, discussing my life and faith with students, I realized something with astounding clarity. Our fundamental difference is not about sin; it is about how we conceive love. For some of us, love is unconditional; for others, it is contingent upon status. Some of us gift it freely, whereas others feel obliged. Regardless, the only path to a common understanding is conversation, that transformational experience upon which all relationships are built. That is at the heart of our message, especially to Christians. Is a static position that leaves no room for wholeness really good news? Or is the gospel a passionate call to move towards healthy and harmonious community? Although we were shut out at Southwestern, there was a powerful lesson in our presence. We proved that it is the very nature of doors to open, even if only to free those inside. To that end, we are determined to keep on knocking.
Yours, mine, and God’s,
Jarrett Lucas
Anna's entry October 25, 2008
Our first weekend in Texas turned out to be relaxed and full of reflection. We had a rally at Reverchon Park, which was attended mostly by people who were already familiar with our organization and supportive of Soulforce and the Equality Ride. Dallas has a lot of LGBT-friendly places and our visit is just one of the many activities available for LGBT people to take part in. I was happy that Matt, a student I had been communicating with and who came up with the “glass closet” idea for my stop, came to the rally. We spoke about who we are and what we do. The Riders told their stories about why they’re on the Ride. The day before the rally, I came to the realization that one of my reasons for being on the Ride was my first love for another woman. In the past when we were asked about our motivations for Riding, I mostly talked about how the situation LGBT people face in the schools we visit is very similar to that in Kyrgyzstan and gave that as a reason why I can relate to it and take a stand on it.
However, after talking with a student at Dallas Baptist University about my feelings for women, I realized that if I had had the space to tell the Christian girl that I loved when I was 16, and who was my closest friend, about my feelings for her, I would feel a lot more peace now. Back then, I was too afraid that she would misunderstand because she was very strong in her faith. I also think that she would have come out had she had the space to do so, because the feelings we shared were deeper than friendship. With this new understanding, I shared a little bit about this experience at the rally. It is amazing how every day on the Ride brings a new insight for me. We also spoke about how each of us play roles in oppressive systems and tried to identify and recognize these systems. This conversation helped us to get more centered and focused (you can imagine how I pronounce this word with my Russian accent).
In the evening we got some steam out at the Halloween street parade. I dressed in drag (put together within an hour), which people interpreted as me being an Amish man. I wore a binder and made a promise to myself that I will put even more effort than before into getting a system set up in Kyrgyzstan for the recognition of transgender identities. It hurt to have part of my body in the closet for four hours! It's painful to imagine what it feels like for people who wear binders all day long for years. So, that was my commitment for the day.
Katie's entry October 24, 2008
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Today, as we were on the road to Dallas Baptist University, an old, familiar feeling found its way into my stomach. Here is it was, the Christian school that was going to finally allow us onto campus. In previous years, this feeling would have hit long before the half way mark of the Ride, but 2008 has proved to be a year like none other. DBU sits high on a hill and is as shiny as the Mountain Creek Lake it overlooks. We were greeted by various members of the school’s administration and a stage with a podium was set up for our press conference. Dr. Blair Blackburn, the Executive Vice President of the University, spoke for a few minutes about the reasons why they decided to engage the Equality Ride and I had a chance to speak about why we wanted to come. This is always a delicate dance- both parties happy to be present while standing firm in our convictions. We thank you Dallas Baptist University. We thank you and we really need you to make some significant changes. The great news is, I think that they are on their way to providing a safe campus for their LGBT students. After the press conference, the bus drove us through the gates and to a meeting hall where I had the honor of sitting with President Cook during lunch. He is a kind-hearted person who was genuinely interested in the Equality Ride. We talked about the past year of his life, which has been occupied with leukemia (that is now in remission), and about the vacation that he and his wife are about to take to the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee. This will be the first time of relaxation that they have had since he was diagnosed and the Equality Ride was something that he wanted to experience before heading off. DBU finally said what I’ve been waiting for months to hear, "Why wouldn’t we welcome you onto campus? We want this chance to talk with you. Would Jesus turn you away?" It seems simple enough to me and we all know the answer.
The rest of the day was a series of meetings with students, faculty, and administration. Lauren Parke, who organized the day, read out loud a letter from a gay alumnus who described all of the roles he fulfilled during his years at DBU as a student and then a professor. We had requested that the alumnus be allowed on campus with us for the day, but the school declined. So, the letter was handed to President Cook, after its reading, and I know he will be contacting his former colleague in order to continue the conversation that his letter started. Once you have the knowledge that members of your community are suffering, it’s almost impossible to remain seated, doing nothing about it. Two of our presentations had their first chance to be seen and heard on a Christian campus. What they experienced were students who may not have been all the way there with us, but for the most part, on the right track to opening their eyes to the reality that their LGBT brothers and sisters live each day. Once we find open ears and hearts, we are able to leave a school with the basic understanding that policies do lead to hate and most definitely create unsafe environments. By the end of the day, I had to pull the Riders away from the students. Even the schools that are truly welcoming have a time limit- it’s almost as if there is a point in the day when our bus could possibly turn into a pumpkin and they need us off of campus by then. That’s okay though. If we are a pumpkin, then we left our seeds and what more could we ask for? |
Nicholas' entry October 22, 2008
On Wednesday, the 2008 Soulforce Q Equality Ride rolled into Pineville and Alexandria, Louisiana. At 11am, the other Riders and I got off the bus at the CENLA (Central Louisiana) Food Bank to participate in a service project to support the local community. This special stop on our tour was the result of Hurricane Gustav. We wanted to help out the community as much as we could, in the short period of time we had there. Our duty for the day was to help fill food boxes for the Adopt-A-Senior and Backpacks program. The food that we would place in these boxes would go to disadvantaged senior citizens and youth in the community.
When we first stepped in the door of the food bank, we were met by CENLA employees. They gave us instructions on how our time would be facilitated and then we followed them into the big warehouse where the food was to be boxed. Our group was split in half, and we went to work. Fifty boxes or so were ready to be filled, so we began putting canned bean, corn, and etc. into the boxes. The other workers there enjoyed our company I think, because a few of us were singing along with Stevie Wonder songs that were being played on the radio. We also had some good conversations with a few of them. After three hours at the food bank, we left and checked into our hotel.
Around 4:30 pm on Wednesday we got on the bus again, and went to the House of Java coffee shop in Alexandria. There we met with alumnus, current students, and other community members to have conversations around LGBT equality at Louisiana College. Most of the fifteen people that showed up were gay or transgender people and had a lot of things on their hearts to share. The Riders and I were eager to listen to their testimonies, because it put a face to what we are doing at Louisiana College. Several hours past and we gathered to talk about going to LC that night, to have a candle light vigil. At around 8:10 pm, all the Riders loaded up on the bus and traveled to the campus. When we reached the school we were met by roughly eighty students, faculty, and police. Our vigil line was made up of about thirty five people, all wanting to stand for equality and to be a voice for the voiceless on Louisiana Colleges campus.
It was 8:30 pm and we had started our hour of silence with our candles ablaze. It was a beautiful sight to see, all of us united in truth and in love. I have never in my life felt so many emotions at one time. I was scared because some of the students were saying nasty things to us, and I felt threatened. I was happy and proud because we were literally and figuratively an affirming light for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students on that campus. I was also saddened because some of the students on the campus were praying in our ears asking God to "heal us and make us repent.” However the greatest emotion I had was one of peace and calm. For the first time in my life I had no doubt that what I was doing was right. I had no doubt that love, true unconditional love, needed to be seen and heard. The last forty or so minutes of the vigil was dedicated to song, and addressing Louisiana College. One alumnus and one former professor of LC spoke about the injustice and mistreatment of LGBT people on the campus that they, themselves, experienced. Hearing them both speak was not only powerful for the vigil line, but I truly believe it sank into the hearts of the student body. The two men who spoke were known by most who were there, and had great courage to put some of those friendships and relationship on the line.
In the last fifteen minutes of the candle light vigil, many of the Riders asked the students and faculty to come and talk to us. Instead, they sang songs over our words and turned away. When we realized they were leaving after two hours of standing on the cold sidewalk, we decided to have a sharing circle across the street. This was a time for all of us to share our feelings and emotions of the night. Community members and alumni thanked us for planting the first seed of change, and hoped we thought that our time here made an impact. I believe it is the 2008 Equality Riders general opinion that more work must be done at this school. It is my personal commitment to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in Pineville, Alexandria, and Louisiana College that I will be back to further the message.
PLEASE REMEMBER GOD LOVES YOU AND AFFIRMS YOU!
ONE LOVE,
Nicholas Rocco DeFinis
Lauren's entry October 21, 2008
This work is draining. Tonight, I am tired in every sense of the word- body, mind, heart, and soul. My feet are sore from standing long hours on the vigil line. My throat is raw from the strain of countless conversations. My eyes ache from fighting back tears. What truly makes me heavy in this moment though, is the realization that I can’t escape. My humanity, and the humanity of all my LGBT brothers and sisters, is wholly wrapped up in this. Whether I like it or not, I have to keep going.
Fortunately, encouragement comes in many forms, and often in the least expected places. Tuesday afternoon, we shared a picnic with students from Mississippi College at a nearby park. Curious about our gathering, a woman interrupted her workout to come and join us. We shared with her our purpose, and she stayed with us as an MC student told her story. She listened attentively as this brave student expressed the pain and anguish that resulted from the misguided belief that the love she shared with another woman was sinful and detestable. After a while, the woman returned to the track to continue exercising, and we returned to our carrots and hummus.
At around 3:00, we began to pack up. As we loaded the bus, the woman approached us again. “Would it be alright if I said a few words?” I leaned back in my seat and braced myself for a sermon. Instead, what I heard were heartfelt words of gratitude and sincere praise for our work. This stranger from Clinton, Mississippi wanted to share a message with us that she felt God was putting into her heart. “God desires you,” she said.
There are about six passages in the Bible that are used to condemn my sexuality. In order to understand them more fully, it’s important to study the original Greek and Hebrew words that are used. For example, how we translate words like malakoi and arsenokoitai can dramatically change the way in which we understand the message that Paul was trying to communicate to the Church of Corinth (and to us).
Before I began to study the “clobber passages” in depth, I only knew one Greek word: axios. It means “worthy,” a descriptor typically denied to LGBT people. Since recognizing myself as a member of the queer community, I have often been made to feel unworthy: unworthy of love, unworthy of acceptance, unworthy of equality. Fortunately, I’ve learned that that simply isn’t true, and I am determined to share that message with others who are also feeling less than.
Our time at Mississippi College has certainly been fruitful. The candlelight vigil Sunday evening was deeply moving. The conversations shared throughout the day, on Monday, surely impacted many. It’s clear that our presence alone has already provided much hope and encouragement for a large number of students and community members. Despite whatever weariness may result, the knowledge that even one person has been made to feel more worthy is enough to pull me back onto my feet.
Caitlin's entry October 19, 2008
Today was a day of embracing and appreciating community, as well as recognizing the isolation and pain many students face on the campuses we visit. On the eve of our visit to Mississippi College, we were blessed with a church service at Northside Baptist Church. I felt especially blessed by the beautiful prayer a female pastor closed the sermon with. It was a prayer for justice, a prayer for understanding, a prayer for comfort. It truly spoke to my heart, as I sat in the pews reflecting upon the amazing students at Mississippi College who I had already met. They are risking so much by speaking truth to power. It reinvigorated me as I thought about all of the amazing experiences I had so far on the Ride and the myriad of blessings that were surely awaiting me down the road. I thought about how much I appreciated Cliff, our lawyer in Clinton, a man who supported us wholeheartedly and shared himself with us in a meaningful and wonderful way. But most of all, I thought about how much I appreciate this blessed journey for equality and all the gifts it brings.
Shortly after we returned, we were greeted by the congregation of Safe Harbor Community Church who came to our hotel with a veritable feast of delicious food. We were well fed and surrounded by spectacular company. Once again I realized how lucky I was to be a part of the Ride. After our bus pulls away, these people will still be here, providing a safe haven for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Just knowing we had played a small role in their amazing mission and their wonderful ministry is humbling.
Perhaps, the most poignant moment of the day for me was a candlelight vigil outside of Mississippi College. After standing silent in vigil for about an hour, students began approaching us. Meaningful dialogue began as students came wanting to know who we are and what we believe. In the vigil line, we took turns talking about why we lit our candles and what they meant to us. We sang songs, shared our stories, and remembered the students who were on that campus, standing atop the hill laughing or peering out darkened windows. In my heart, I honored the students who were too scared to be with us but took comfort in our presence and those who were so brave to risk it all and stand with us. This day, like all the others on the Equality Ride, has changed me. It caused me to grow, question, and actively practice compassion. May we continue to shine our light in a dark world.
Manny's entry October 16, 2008
I had been waiting for today since our training in Minnesota, last July. I woke up this morning ready to finally see everything I had been thinking about and working for come together. It’s been a really bumpy road. Thoughts and memories raced through my head, this morning, of all the experiences we have had so far in this state. It seems like at every stop we've been to on the Equality Ride, we've met some profound people who challenged and empowered each of us to continuously learn about ourselves. We had already met some people like that in Alabama.
As I ate my waffle at breakfast this morning, I reflected on our time in Alabama so far. I thought of how Fran and Apple opened up their home to us and asked us to autograph their garage walls so they could have a part of history. I thought of when the Riders sat in a semi-circle to listen to Rev. Robert Graetz and his wife, Jeannie, talk about their experiences as white leaders of the Civil Rights Movement; their redemptive suffering during the Montgomery Bus Boycott was incredible. Or when Allison and JT welcomed the Equality Riders into their home. I hope we brought joy into their lives, as they did for us.
These experiences are vital to any Equality Rider, because they remind us that our work for social justice is important not only to us, but also to the people we meet at each stop. As the memories from the past few days flashed in my mind, I felt a sense of calm about our stop at Heritage Christian University. I knew that a difference would be made just by being visible in a town where it is not the social norm to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
I looked at the time and realized that I was running late for the bus. I can’t believe how our time in Florence, Alabama came together and all the work I have been doing actually has paid off. As our bus pulled onto the green, close to Heritage Christian’s campus, I became nervous. We got off the bus and did our usual routine of putting together our banner and setting up for a day of conversation and vigil. In the distance, we could already see a police officer and a school administrator walking towards our bus and us. “They’re already going to give us a group warning,” Nick mentioned. It was very clear that we weren’t welcomed onto campus when the administrator stated that if any of the Riders to walked on campus, they would be arrested.
We stood in vigil, facing the university, for about an hour before three of our female Riders walked onto campus. The same administrator who warned us earlier in the day came out of the school and met with the Riders at the edge of campus. We thought that three women should walk on to campus because of the school’s belief that women should be in serving, submissive roles in the church and world.
After the arrests, the rest of the Equality Riders stood in silent vigil, waiting to talk students. To my surprise, no students left the school or campus to come talk to us. From a distance, we could see that security was surrounding the entrance of Heritage Christian’s main building. Honestly, I was discouraged. I wanted to feel that my stop really made a difference in people’s lives, especially for those who attend Heritage Christian University. Regardless of how I felt, we continued to stand in silent vigil for hours after those three Riders were arrested. Standing there was one of the hardest moments for me on the Equality Ride. Some residents of Florence felt compelled to say hateful words as they drove by in their cars. We wanted to send a message that arrests and scaring students from talking to the Equality Riders would not keep us from our goal to be a voice for those who have none. Later on, when we were ending our day at a nearby coffee shop, that I got a e-mail from an anonymous Heritage student. He said our stop at his school definitely started dialogue at Heritage Christian University and that we did send a message.
Lauren's entry October 15, 2008
The Director of Safety from Palm Beach Atlantic University read a statement as we gathered outside the school's chapel on Monday, October 13, 2008. "You are unwanted guests." Fully aware that handcuffs were waiting, six of us then stepped forward, persisting in our intention to attend the morning service there. Two students whom we'd spoken with extensively the day before, had been so certain we would be allowed in that they even promised to sit with us. Tears streamed down their faces as the police slipped zip-ties around our wrists and loaded us into their van. Our fellow Riders held hands and tried to hold back their own tears as they sung, "Just As I Am."
Twenty-six hours later, I was released, hungry and tired but otherwise alright. Back in my Soulforce attire and with paperwork in hand, I stepped through the door I'd been directed toward. Hearing the familiar click-lock behind me, I quickly sat down in the first chair I saw and waited for further instruction. Eventually, the guard sitting at the front desk looked up and asked, "What are you doing here?" Certain that I'd messed up, I apologized and asked if I had mistakenly ended up in the wrong place. "No, you're fine."
"So is it okay to leave?"
"Whenever you want."
Still uncertain of my freedom, I hesitated a moment more before folding my papers and tucking them into my pocket. Then I stood up, nodded to the guard, opened the door and walked out into the Florida sunshine.
I could write a detailed account of my experiences in jail – of freezing cold holding cells, strip searches, hunger pains, desensitized guards and dehumanizing treatment – but what consumes my thoughts today is this notion of asking permission to be free.
If it weren't for the enlightenment offered to me by others, to what extent would I be conscious of the various imprisoning factors affecting myself and those around me? Would I be able to step outside of the status quo independently? Am I brave enough or strong enough to shed the comforts of oppression without the support, encouragement and insistence of others? It was pointed out to me once that Hitler didn't cause the Holocaust. The Holocaust was the result of millions of people, standing by silently, failing to raise their voices in protest. Was it fear? Was it apathy? Or were they simply unaware that genocide is wrong? Today, I wonder, would I have acted differently?
Physical imprisonment so easily leads to mental slavery. When faced with the comforts of privilege, I hope that I will continue to challenge and be challenged. When blind to my own oppression, I pray that others will open my eyes and help set me free.
Many thanks to all of you who join me in these endeavors.
Nick's entry October 14, 2008
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”- The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King
Yesterday at Palm Beach Atlantic University six of the Riders where unjustly arrested for attempting to join students, who invited them the day prior, at chapel. “Your arresting Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks” said Paul Horn, an active community member in West Palm Beach, as the Riders were being placed in the back of the police van. This was the stop I spent months planning: talking with students and administrators, organizing events, and gathering local supportive community members. There was something about watching this act of civil disobedience and being out in the pouring rain, while singing “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around,” that made the seriousness and the necessity of this Ride apparent.
Injustice is why we ride on. The sixteen of us are all processing the past few days as we head towards Florence, Alabama, leaving behind the Atlantic Ocean as we head further into the rural South. Having lived for about four years in Alabama, I know that prejudice influences that area. I know how the homophobia flows commonly throughout the Southern way of life. Even though I’m a straight ally, I’ll be viewed as “one of them”. It’s time for us throw a few stones in the “conservative pond” and make a few ripples of change. Please, keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Azariah's entry October 13, 2008
God Is In The Rain…
Today we visited Palm Beach Atlantic University. We arrived on campus around 10:00 am to vigil. We were met by parents of PBA students and a few current PBA students for brief dialogue. At 11:00 am we attempted to join students for worship on campus.
The day before, we were invited to Monday's chapel service by a few students. However, when we tried to join the students, we were denied entry by campus security and the city police. Six Equality Riders, determined to join students in worship, persisted in their attempts to attend chapel. They were immediately arrested. I have been raised in church and never in my life would I have thought I would be denied access to a worship service. As Danny, Zak, Nicholas, Enzi, Jarrett, and Lauren were arrested, the other Riders and I began to sing, "Just as I Am." While singing this I realized that I was not allowed to come to PBA "just as I am." (video footage of the arrest)As a matter of fact, I was not allowed to attend their chapel service because I am gay. Not only did this hurt me, it also confused me because Jesus told us to come as we are. However, PBA told us today we could not come as we are.
After our fellow Riders were arrested, a professor of Psychology at PBA offered me a bottle of water. I declined to take the water by saying, "You are denying to quench my spiritual thirst, why would you be willing to quench my physical thirst?" He responded by saying "That was mean." However, I didn't think it was mean. It was the truth. In that moment, I was speaking truth to power and it was uncomfortable for him. He and I spoke for a few hours and got to know each other. While we were talking it began to rain hard. He stayed for a little while, but not long enough to get soaked. We stood through the hours of pouring rain, drenched from head to toe. In a matter of 24 hours, our bus was vandalized at our hotel, students at PBA shouted hateful comments to us during our arrest, and Christians denied us shelter from the pouring rain and the opportunity worship with them.
My question to PBA is where is the love of Christ in your actions today? Jesus told us to visit those who are in prison. Would you visit our fellow Riders you imprisoned today? Jesus told us to help the needy. I was outside your church doors today, but you denied the chance to minister to me. Jesus told us to clothe the naked. I was soaked and shivering outside your doors today and you stayed inside to remain dry and warm. I challenge you to abandon your obligations and regulations for one moment to fulfill the true calling Christ commanded us to fulfill: love.
See Equality Ride video about PBA visit
Abby's entry October 10, 2008
A few years back, I wrote a 23-page paper about Toni Morrison’s Beloved for an introductory English course. The assignment only required ten pages but I had become so infatuated with the story, the manipulation of language and the way it took devastating pain and used it remind us of our humanity. I specifically appreciated the ending, where community is what ultimately saves the main character.
I have a deep attachment to the literary voices of African-American women, for reasons I can not explain. Maybe it is because many of the important women in my life are African-American, whether I know them or not. I watch them on Philadelphia subways, as they carry bags, children, and what seems like the weight of the world. It might not be far from the truth – I once read an academic article where the author argued that it would be the women of color in the world who would ultimately set us free.
I say all this to explain why I had intentionally chosen to write about our visit to Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. We began with a meet and greet at their Camille Cosby Women’s Center on Wednesday night, and Spelman’s LGBTQIQ group, Afrekete, welcomed us with hugs, fresh veggies, and insight into the climate at Spelman regarding LGBTQ students. What impressed me was their vigor. One member said that during the campus Market Friday, where students groups and vendors could set up tables, we would help become that voice for the voiceless because "there is power in numbers." Already I felt a sense of community with people I had only known for five minutes.
We returned Friday and set up a table with Afrekete at their weekly market while a few Riders, myself included, visited a Philosophy class at Morehouse. The class had been discussing homosexuality for a few days prior to our visit and had compiled a list of possible reasons that people might use to argue that homosexuality is "wrong" – whether that be because it is "unnatural" or simply because it makes people uncomfortable. These young men provided some insightful comments, regardless of whether or not I agreed, and it was interesting to hear voices to which I am not always privy. I had graduated from Temple University with a degree in Education and while there is a significant African-American presence on campus, sadly, there were not many to represent that voice in my area of study. Even after the discussion with the first class, two young men stayed behind to continue talking about how they did not see any arguments that logically supported homophobia. The other Riders and I tried to encourage him to take that a step further in being an ally, understanding neutrality as sometimes dangerous, because it has often generated complacency in the face of injustice throughout world history.
We later met back up with the other Riders at Spelman's Women’s Center for a panel discussion on "Gender Diversity and the Immorality of Homophobia". A sizable crowd gathered into the room and my presentation group, which deals primarily with topic of gender diversity, led the room in an activity to explore some common conceptions about gender at Morehouse and Spelman. Our Riders pretended to be playdough while the audience helped shape them into the "Morehouse Man" and the "Spelman Woman." Interestingly enough, we had one female Rider and one male Rider serve as the playdough participants and when our group asked the audience to begin shaping the "Morehouse Man", all the participants immediately looked to our male Rider to serve as that example. I think this was an interesting moment for all of us to reevaluate the way we conceive of gender, even within the LGBTQ community since they comprised the majority of this audience.
This activity led into a deep discussion about the LGBTQ community on Spelman’s campus, where students shared stories of how professors have blatantly discriminated against them because of their sexual orientation/gender identity, without repercussion. A representative from Spelman’s administration was present and indicated that there are means of support on campus or grievances that one could file, which I call "Paperwork Responses". Then, in acknowledging that way in which Afrekete has gained more visibility on campus, this representative suggested that they use this new visibility to help change campus culture. I, personally, felt the need to respond and speak to the fact that it is not only the LGBTQ community’s responsibility to deal with homophobia but is largely that of the heterosexual community, who, essentially, is the source of that homophobia. As the discussion came to a close, it was a comment from a woman in the back of the room that struck me the most. She challenged us all to change the course of the conversation, steering it away from our focus on oppression and begin to conceptualize what kind of loving community we would like to be a part of and therefore, create. I appreciated her efforts to help us move forward, beyond our own experiences, in order to imagine a space where we share an experience, one created by a collective vision for companionship.
Our discussion was followed by a viewing of No Hetero, a documentary film made by Spelman students about the lives and experiences of LGBTQ students at both Morehouse and Spelman. It reaffirmed our decisions to visit because, while neither of these schools have discriminatory policies, as do many of the schools we visit, it was evident from this film that the discussion around LGBTQ students needs further development.
The day ended with an evening gathering of students from Safe Space, Afrekete, and our beloved Riders at a student’s off campus house to enjoy music, laughs, and a small, but much needed, place to be comfortable. I sat on a sofa, looking around at this group of people – we were a myriad of races, ages, experiences, identities, and yet a community who shares a common conviction, you might say. I couldn’t help but hear Morrison in the back of my head, "Here... in this here place, we flesh; flesh that weeps, laughs; flesh that dances on bare feet in grass. Love it. Love it hard."
Taueret's entry October 9, 2008
See Equality Ride video from Spelman and Morehouse
The opportunity it to visit historically Black colleges was one of the things that motivated me to join the Equality Rider this year. As a Black queer womyn, engaging my community in dialogue is a fierce way to explore the intersections of identity and oppression.
Morehouse College was founded in 1867, two years after the Civil War ended. It was a space for recently freed Black men to receive an education and then enter society as teachers and ministers. It had since become a mecca for future leaders of the Black community and the world-at-large. Our visit definitely reflected the illustrious past of this great institution.
Our day began early with a delicious on-campus breakfast that Soulforce Q provided for students, faculty, and administration. Nicholas and I had the opportunity to chat with two extremely friendly students about everything from our families to activism. An Equality Rider from ‘06, Robin Reynolds, joined us on campus, which was fierce.
Michael Brewer, the co-president of Safe Space, Morehouse's only affirming and empowering organization for gay, bisexual, and queer folk, gave us a fun and informative tour of the campus.
We stopped at the dorm where Greg Love, a student who was perceived to be gay, was beaten savagely with a baseball bat in 2002. I felt my heart drop when I saw that it was only yards from where we had eaten breakfast.
Eventually, we made our way to one of the high traffic areas of campus and set up a table with some of our literature, buttons, and flyers about our events at Morehouse and Spelman.
As students made their way from building to building, I found that unlike at home in NYC, people actually stopped and listened when you offered them a flyer. That was totally motivation to begin having some great conversation. I know that some Riders spoke with individuals for upwards of an hour.
After lunch, we sat outside of the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel waiting for a tour that never happened! That was frustrating, but eventually it was just really nice to hang out and take in the wonderful outside of the chapel.
We were invited to attend a meeting with the chapel assistants. There was a representative from Palmer Theological Seminary, which is part of Eastern University, a 2006 Equality Ride Stop. He was there to speak to the Morehouse students, but graciously fielded questions from the Equality Riders as well.
Then we had a rousing discussion about our mission that moved into personal questions that I, for one, was really pleased to answer. I think that the first step in being affirming is learning about individuals.
Zak said he felt that there was a genuine interest in the students to know where we were coming from. I'd definitely have to agree.
It's also interesting to note that the only rude behavior and reactions came from a parent of a student at Spelman! It just shows how old biases are sometimes the only thing stopping young people from having honest and productive dialogue.
Our night ended with a fantastic open mic at a local cafe, Jazzman's. There were many local performers as well as Equality Riders (Danny, Abby, Nicholas, Enzi, and I), members of Safe Space, and Afrekete (Spelman's queer student organization.)
All in all, it was a fierce visit. I felt that we really touched some hearts and opened minds. I felt really welcomed and loved by this community, a community that I consider my own.
Anna's entry October 7, 2008
Today was a day of relief for me. We spent half of the day dancing, jumping, and distributing leaflets at the campus of the University of South Carolina. It was their National Coming Out day and we were invited to take part in it. There were six rainbow tables with brochures and stickers, our bus in the background and sunshine all over the campus. I got a rainbow painted on my cheek. “Childhood” seemed to be the theme of the event. We were jumping on jump ropes and made hopscotch with “LGBTIQA” letters on it. Cait, Zak, and Danny ran around trying to get the passing by students and faculty to take a ‘straight but not narrow’ sticker. It felt a lot different from the “DO NOT CROSS” taped in spot we had at Columbia International University.
We made it into the university newspaper thanks to an article about our visit to CIU. It was nice to be welcomed and supported at a university campus. No handcuffs, “DO NOT CROSS” tape, or police cars.
We had dinner at United Church of Christ with Candace Chellew-Hodge. The pasta was good and we still have leftover brownies on the bus with us. I could sense what it was like to be an LGBT person in a small community.
In the evening, our presentation on liberation theology slowly turned into a conversation about the essence of the Equality Ride, nonviolence, and whether we make a difference. Riders shared the stories we heard and experienced after the two stops. We talked about ex-gays and what it feels like when we meet them at those campuses. I wish I could spend more time with them to really relate to their experiences. Students at Columbia International University are not allowed to dance because it might be ”suggestive” and cannot watch R-rated movies unless they are approved as “safe” by the administration. If I told them that these policies remind me of soviet high schools, they would probably be offended. But I don’t see the difference between not being allowed to dance on campus and former president of Turkmenistan (one of the world’s most authoritarian countries) banning ballet because it is not part of Turkmen culture.
I miss the Liberty University students a lot. I hope that there will be positive changes in the university’s policy after our visits. I hope that the students will not have to hide and watch over their shoulders.
Enzi's entry October 6, 2008
See Equality Ride Video about Columbia International University
I was the Equality Rider in charge of planning the stop to Columbia International University. I had been preparing for this stop for a very long time. There is a saying that explains "You can plan a pretty picnic, but you can't predict the weather." We arrived at Columbia International University (CIU) and I was really surprised by what we were greeted with. When we arrived there, there was police tape roping off an area for us to meet and speak with students. It was very clear to us that if we crossed that designated area, we would get arrested. In the communication we had with the school prior to our visit, we were informed of the school's decision not to allow us on campus. At one point, the school offered to meet with five of us off campus and we agreed to meet with them. We, however, made it very clear to them that we still planned on coming onto campus to have a larger dialogue with more students. With that information, CIU withdrew their offer. So when we arrived on campus, I was really surprised at what I saw.
I was surprised to be greeted by administration and students, all who were dressed in CIU T-shirts. Many of the shirts said "welcome." This was very ironic to me because we knew we were not welcomed. In fact, I remember very much reciting Langston Hughes poem "I Too Sing America" in my head throughout that time. Regardless, there was lots of dialogue with the students. At one point, I was surrounded by a group of students and we were talking about logical reasons to support that being gay was wrong. One of the students ended up explaining that there was not a logical reason other than because it's different. I felt like this moment was a huge breakthrough moment for those students.
At the end of the day, students were told they had to return to campus because the faculty and staff had a scheduled meeting. At this moment, about half dozen police cars pulled up on the property and forced us off of campus. We were told that if we did not leave immediately, we would all be arrested, even though we had planned on staying for a couple of more hours. Later that evening, we met with several students at a local Starbucks. This was a very productive time for me. I was able to have a long discussion with one of the students I spoke with at the school. By the end of the day, as a group we had spoken with over five students who were lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
Zak's entry October 5, 2008
Today we hit the road and headed to Columbia, SC. We had an early morning, but we were seen off by a Liberty student that we had become friends with. As I look back on all that had happened while we were in Lynchburg, I can only imagine what the rest of the Ride will look like. I have come to learn to expect the unexpected of everyone and that the little things make all difference. I have seen power in personal stories. I have learned that being drained and exhausted is the mark of a good day. That laughing until your stomach hurts is the best thing to do when you feel low.
Tomorrow we‘ll be at Columbia International University. We don’t really know what’s going to happen. We can only hope for dialogue with students so that we can spread the message that God loves and affirms LGBT people. That alone is reason enough to keep on rolling.
Azariah's entry October 4, 2008
Today all the Equality Riders and I were able to go to Gary Nixon and Mel White’s house for training. We arrived around noon. Gary was very gracious to let us use his house. I must admit, if their home goes missing, you might find it and me somewhere in a undisclosed location enjoying the back deck. I think all the other Equality Riders would agree we would love to have a beautiful home like their's someday.
We spent about seven hours at their house perfecting the presentations we’ll give at a few of schools. Later that night, we went back to our hotel in Lynchburg and packed to get ready for our stop at Columbia International University in Columbia, SC. Be sure to come back and read the journal entry on our stop there. It will definitely be a memorable day.
Caitlin's journal October 2, 2008
Today is the second day of our stop in Lynchburg, Virginia and once again the desire of Liberty students to dialogue and discuss has amazed me. Today, we had invited Liberty students to a nearby Starbucks to continue the discussion we began yesterday and to engage the community and enjoy each other's company as well. For me, the biggest blessing came in the form of three Liberty students. I remembered the face of one of these students from the day before at Liberty and today he had brought along two friends. As we began the Bible discussion, I could see his heart opening and his mind growing as
he and his friends questioned the ideas that their school told them were the inarguable words of God. We were no longer an abstract idea- we were people and we were valuable. They told us that they thought it was wrong for Liberty to deny us, all of us, entry to campus and expressed that they were looking at things from a new angle. At one
point, one of these students even apologized for his own past closed mindedness.
To me, this conversation is what the Ride is all about. These students did not completely change their minds. They did not come out thinking being gay is totally acceptable to God, but they recognized our humanity and our love and they began to examine the scriptures and their conceptions in a new way. We have discussions like this one to begin a conversation because every conversation places new thoughts, ideas and considerations into the hearts and minds of these students. It gives them a chance to truly know us, not to fear us. What a blessing it is to play a role in that change.
After this beautiful morning, we had a much needed respite at the hotel and then were fortunate enough to be invited to dinner at Mel White and Gary Nixon's home. Mel was unable to attend, but Gary was the most amazing and gracious host. We enjoyed sushi, wings, pizza, brownies and ice cream and each other's company as we laughed at silly stories and reflected on the wonderful work we had done so far. It was a truly wonderful night in which we grew even further in our bond as Equality Riders, as friends, and as family.
I will remember the students at Liberty throughout the Ride, as we continue to do the important work of justice. I will remember sitting around a table at Starbucks and talking, not as adversaries or opponents, but as human beings growing and learning together. I look forward to the rest of the Ride and feel fortunate to have made
an impact here in Lynchburg.
In justice and peace,
Caitlin
Zak's entry October 1, 2008
I woke up this morning in a reflective mood. The other Riders and I had been in Laurel, MD for a week. With that last bit of training under our belts, we were ready to have conversations.
I will remember Peterson Toscano, who came to our training to talk about the Ex-Gay Movement and his experiences in it. He said to us that people may not remember what we say, but they will remember how we made them feel. That idea struck a cord in me. I will not forget that when I'm talking to students.
I will remember that Phil Lawson told us to speak with nothing but love in our hearts, even when we feel that that love is not being returned. I will remember to follow Phil's example and be full of grace, compassion, and faith.
I will remember things my fellow Riders have said that made me realize how important it is to continue on this journey. While the Equality Ride is partly for ourselves, it's also about supporting each other and the LGBT students at the schools we are visiting.
I will remember if we're arrested in an act of civil disobedience, it will send a message to students who are in the closet. It's a message of hope, faith, and love. It's a message that will say "I will go this far for you, because I love you."
This week has been tough. Everything has been in extremes. I've had high highs and low lows. In the end, it all was worth it.
Today we saw our bus for the first time. Seeing it in person really made me think "I'm actually doing this. " After that we boarded and went to Liberty University. We had been told by Lynchburg Police that Liberty U. would allow five Riders onto campus. We also knew that they were telling the media otherwise. We had read in the paper that morning that Liberty representatives said the Riders were not allowed on campus. I had no idea what was going to happen.
As I rolled on to campus with the other Riders, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and calm wash over me. A voice inside of me said "you're doing the right thing." That gave me a lot of comfort. We filed off the bus and stood vigil for a while. Then Katie, Danielle, Nicholas, Cait, and I gathered the books that we were going to donate to Liberty U library. We had the police escort us to the spot where Liberty begins. After that, we were on our own. We walked on to campus. No police. We entered the Liberty library. No police. We walked to the courtyard to have dialogue with students. No police. At the end of the day, no one was arrested.
We had amazing conversations with students on campus. Students really wanted to talk us. To be there and to be a part of that experience was an incredible thing.
What it boils down to is this: my journey with these amazing people has just begun. Things will be difficult at times. We will need to rely on each other for support. I feel, for the first time in a long while, that this is where I am supposed to be. I could not be any happier.
Danielle's entry September 30, 2008
It’s the last day of training. I am taking time to take everything in. I think the gravity of what we are doing hit me today. We got to meet Peterson Toscano, an amazing performer and ex-gay survivor. He was great. He spoke to us about his experience in ex-gay ministries and performed for us. I was even able to speak to him about how he develops his characters. That helped me out a lot since I also have characters that I want to develop and share with the world. I am sure that I will be seeing him again, whether it be in the theater or otherwise.
Another person I got to meet this training was Phil Lawson. I now consider him the grandfather I never had. For someone I consider a legend of the Civil Rights Movement to speak to us, affirm us, and encourage us was overwhelming to the point where I had to fight back tears. This experience just affirms my belief that blood doesn’t make family.
Over this week of training I had the chance to “unpack” so much and cry and express my fears, concerns, and everything. I was able to be vulnerable. I was able to be myself and be affirmed in that. It’s just been such a powerful and empowering experience. There are no words to describe the sense of community and family I feel. And this was just the training. I can’t wait to experience what the Ride has to offer. I know that we all will become closer in our ability to struggle, grow, and change.
We even had Riders of past years come back to hang out with us. They were really cool and spoke about their experiences. Our training also would not have been complete without the GLAAD Media Director Cindi Creager coming down to give us some kind words and tips on how to speak to the media. I am really excited to get started. We are leaving tomorrow. I hope we do well.
Haven's entry September 28, 2008
How flexible can our minds be? The kinds of input change almost hourly. Today started with singing, learning the words of some "classic" Equality Ride songs thanks to 2007 Equality Rider Micah Matthias. He joined us for the weekend, coming down from New York City to teach us something about keeping harmony. Music has always been a necessary and powerful part of this work. Vigiling for 8 hours is not easy, but remembering the strength of our collective witness and insisting on our presence through song is sustaining.
This evening we were joined by Reverend Phil Lawson. He is on the board of Soulforce, and I remember standing with him on my very first Equality Ride stop back in 2006 at Liberty University. I was nervous and wide-eyed, and working alongside him in the conversations out there on the sidewalk helped put things in perspective. Tonight he shared a little bit about his past, his experiences with activism, and his thoughts on what it means to work for justice from a spiritual place.
Two notions he put forth are still resonating with me as I write this. First, he did not refer to his work in the 1960s as part of the Civil Rights Movement, a title assigned to that time period in retrospect. Instead, he and his friends spoke of their work as efforts for saving the soul of our nation, as working for true democracy. Those who write the history books can have way of distilling and simplifying a beautiful and universal aspiration that is about absolute justice into a narrow, singular focus. In the same vein, Reverend Lawson encouraged us to broaden our view of the work we are doing on campus and how we do it. If we hold within us an awareness about multiple oppressions - racism, sexism, ableism, exploitative capitalism - and intentionally bring that into conversation, then we are really doing the peace and justice work that is universal. That rings true to my sense of integrity and the thread of spirit or heart or community that runs through all people.
We are so fortunate to have the expertise of many giving strength and weight to our coming journey's work. I suppose I do this work not only for the safety and benefit of others, but also so that I am a more full member of the community I seek.
I feel like I have been to my kind of house of worship... now it's bedtime.
Lauren's entry September 27, 2008
Nonviolence is a constant subject of discussion amongst the Riders. What does it look like? How do we practice it? How do we embody it? Phil Lawson, a Methodist pastor and social justice leader, joined us to share his insights. Listening to him speak brought my mind back to a common dilemma of mine: how can I address the effects of oppressive systems while simultaneously working to change the systems themselves? Put another way, how do I get to the root of a problem when all of my time is consumed by the problem?
As a social service provider working with homeless and at-risk youth, I am constantly made conscious of the various obstacles faced by my young people. Unfortunately, many of those obstacles are in place as the result of poor policy decisions made by uninformed or misinformed elected officials. In the past, I've responded by jumping into advocacy work, aiming to influence those leaders and affect those policies. This, however, presents the risk of losing touch with the very people I'm trying to advocate for. What's a person to do?
Enter Phil Lawson.
Last night, he posed the question, "What is the opposite of slavery?"
"Freedom," was our automatic response, but he corrected us, explaining that actually community is the opposite of slavery; freedom is just the avenue to get there. It dawned on me: the young people I'm serving are in a slavery of sorts, and through my advocacy I've been trying to offer them freedom. However, if to be truly free from slavery means to be in community, then instead of abandoning the enslaved in order to fight for their freedom, I need to take them with me! As we work for a better tomorrow, we must strive forward together as one community committed to change, constantly seeking the justice and equality that we all deserve.
Zak's entry for September 26, 2008
Day three started without a hitch. This morning we had "Bible Boot Camp!" HURAH! We talked about the questions we get asked on campus, as well as what we can ask students while engaging in dialogue. We then shifted gears to talk about love and sin and what that means in the context of our conversation.
After lunch we met with Peterson Toscano, a leading authority on all things related to the Ex-Gay Movement. He lead us in a variety of discussions around Ex-Gay Movement. We talked about their beliefs and practices. He really opened up our eyes and minds to what the Movement was all about.
We ended the day by role playing as if we were on campus. I'm really looking forward to the real thing!
Today was an emotional day for me. The ex-gay topic hits very close to home. As someone who has went through a residential program, I feel it's something that is not talked about as much within our work. It's so vital that we do. The day left me very drained, but also renewed me on a issue we will address while on the Ride.
It all boils down to this: we still have a lot of work to do. We still have lots of edges to iron out, but it's all coming together. Each day I can see more and more how the Ride is shaping up. Each day I can see our words and emotions coming together. All I can say is that can't wait to get started!
Abby's journal entry September 25, 2008
I started off this year's Equality Ride in the same way that I had in 2007- taking the long way around. We began, last year, in Minneapolis during a fairly severe snowstorm which caused many Riders to be rerouted to various airports around the country or to spend the night sleeping on the benches by their gates. This year, Nicholas Rocco and I missed our stop on the bus to Baltimore and ended up staying on for the entire route until we reached Washington D.C. After running around Union Station frantically asking questions and lugging suitcases up and down small staircases, we found a way back to Laurel, Maryland.
When we arrived most folks looked tired but grateful that it had begun at all. In the early afternoon of the previous day we had all received phone calls that the Ride might not continue because of some financial complications. Riders were calling, texting, Myspace/Facebook messaging each other and everyone they knew to help save our cause for equality. I felt almost numb, having postponed my career in teaching to return to do this work. I also was fighting off an impending shame, thinking "I should have asked so-and-so to donate" because I did not know what we were going to tell community members and supporters who were already emailing us to communicate their excitement about our visits. I thought about all the people from the places we visited in 2007 who contacted us weeks after we left. I thought about two students at a school we visited last year that drove around their hometown for forty-five minutes looking for our bus when their administration had refused to allow us on campus. I thought about another closeted LGBTQ student who saw the allies marching, like a space of green in a never-ending desert. And I imagined what would be their experience when they learned it was only a mirage.
Thankfully, we have more support than we realized. We were reaffirmed in our work when in four hours we raised tens of thousands of dollars from simply making phone calls. Such an experience boasts our confidence that such support will manifest itself in different ways as we continue on our journey.
We are, however, still prepared to face the reasons for why such work is still necessary. This morning I opened my email to find a letter from an alumnus from one of the schools we are visiting. He indicated that we would only "cause problems", that our presence was not necessary, and that we should simply "not come." Sadly, another alumnus from the same school had recently told me in a phone conversation about his experience of not being able to openly express his identity until after graduation because he would have faced the possibility of expulsion like other students at his alma mater. He had told me about students who were brought into secret meetings for questioning and then removed from school. He described it as an "under the rug" operation that often does not make the school's paper headlines. I see the words from a page in Dr. Martin Luther King's Why We Can't Wait flashing through my memory - specifically when cities in the South had accused he and his followers as being outside agitators and troublemakers. Socrates said the same thing centuries prior and said sometimes trouble, those "gadflies," are what is needed to get the horse moving.
So now, after the first full day of training, of discussing presentations and direct action and from where our fears derive, I see a room full of strangers who I feel I have known for years. Many of us have nothing in common, from dietary habits and what music we like, to whether we grew up on a beach or have never seen the ocean. It's strange how it is these ideas about a common good that bind us together and easily erase all the divisions in between. Many of the communities of faith that we visit are also bound by ideas about what brings "good" - and maybe they could learn how coexistence is possible regardless of differences. We are all people who have some degree of faith or passion for a cause, whether that be for judgment or justice.
Taueret Manu’s Equality Ride Journal Entry- September 24th 2008
Waking up on the morning of the 24th, I found it difficult to get out of my bed. Looking out of my bedroom window, a view I've seen almost everyday for 16 years, it dawned on me that “the day” had come. My Facebook countdown was at zero days, zero seconds, and zero minutes. This was it.
The day before was extremely intense. Soulforce Q received news that a $100,000 grant we had secured for the Ride fell through. We had to raise at least $30,000 by 4 pm to even get the Ride on the road. I didn't know how much this journey meant to me until it was almost taken away. All of the Soulforce staff, the Equality Riders, our families, and our friends scrambled and did massive outreach. I've never seen people come together like that. And it totally worked. We aren't completely out of the woods, but I learned a lesson about faith and the power of the good that we do.
Driving out of Manhattan, I saw my home for the last time for next two months. Alex and Manny, two other Equality Riders from New York, road the bus with me to Maryland. It was a smooth ride. They mostly studied. I mostly slept. We also admired regional landmarks. Right outside of Wilmington, DE, we saw a 20 foot tall, metallic statue of Jesus.
All of the riders trickled into the hotel in Laurel, MD at around the same time. It was so fierce to see everyone's faces again for the first time since our last training. As we sat around laughing, eating pizza, and enjoying each other's energy, we received some bad news. Rachel‘s grandfather is ill and she may join us on the Ride. It was a big blow. We are definitely concerned about her and her family.
We had a chance to share our feelings and reactions to the fundraising emergency that happened the day before. We did a complete rundown of our school stops. We have so many supporters all over our route. It's so empowering to hear the things we have in store with them.
The night ended with a mini-photo shoot, which I always enjoy. Then we retreated into our rooms. It was only 10 pm, but my roommates and I were exhausted from the morning of travel. It was a fierce initial day!
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