Updates From The Road: April 2011

by Jason Conner

What a week it has been! I am in the middle of a two week road trip speaking at colleges and attending screenings of Equality U. My trip began in Philadelphia where I live. From Philadelphia I attended some meetings in DC and then took a long drive down to Morehead Kentucky where I presented the key note address at the Come Together Kentucky (CTK) conference presented by the Kentucky ALLYance of Morehead State University.

Soulforce cited in NY Times article describing campus life. Former Equality Riders quoted

by Soulforce

Soulforce was cited in a New York Times article featuring several former Equality Riders describing campus life on Christian college campuses.

WACO, Tex. — Battles for acceptance by gay and lesbian students have erupted in the places that expect it the least: the scores of Bible colleges and evangelical Christian universities that, in their founding beliefs, see homosexuality as a sin.

Decades after the gay rights movement swept the country’s secular schools, more gays and lesbians at Christian colleges are starting to come out of the closet, demanding a right to proclaim their identities and form campus clubs, and rejecting suggestions to seek help in suppressing homosexual desires.

Many of the newly assertive students grew up as Christians and developed a sense of their sexual identities only after starting college, and after years of inner torment. They spring from a new generation of evangelical youths that, over all, holds far less harsh views of homosexuality than its elders.

But in their efforts to assert themselves, whether in campus clubs or more publicly on Facebook, gay students are running up against administrators who defend what they describe as God’s law on sexual morality, and who must also answer to conservative trustees and alumni.

Continue reading on NYTimes.com or see the April 19, 2011 in print, on page A1 of the New York edition with the headline: “Even on Religious Campuses, Students Fight for Gay Identity.”

UPDATE: In the wake of this New York Times article, Abilene Christian University sophomore Taylor Schmitt found an outpouring of support. Read the story in Reporter News: Your Abilene Online.

What leads gay, straight teens to attempt suicide?

by Soulforce

From the Associate Press

Lindsey Tanner, AP Medical Writer

CHICAGO — Suicide attempts by gay teens — and even straight kids — are more common in politically conservative areas where schools don’t have programs supporting gay rights, a study involving nearly 32,000 high school students found.

Those factors raised the odds and were a substantial influence on suicide attempts even when known risk contributors like depression and being bullied were considered, said study author Mark Hatzenbuehler, a Columbia University psychologist and researcher.

Presbyterians Celebrate San Francisco Presbytery Vote in Support of Allowing Gay Clergy

by Guest Author

Our friends at More Light Presbyterians write in with the following update.

All across the United States, Presbyterians have been voting in each of the 173 regional presbyteries to determine whether or not the Presbyterian Church (USA) will drop the ban on gay clergy.  The yes vote in San Francisco on Tuesday, April 12, puts the denomination seven votes away from the simple majority required to enact this historic change.  But contrary to public opinion, San Francisco Presbytery was not necessarily expected to vote yes.

Jimmy Creech in a city near you

by Soulforce

Jimmy Creech is a long-time supporter of and participant with Soulforce and served as the chair of our board of directors for a number of years. He was defrocked for his support of LGBT people. We are so excited for the recent release of Jimmy’s book,Adam’s Gift, which prominently features Soulforce. If you don’t already have a copy, you can buy copies in our store. Read Mel White’s glowing endorsement of Adam’s Gift.

Jimmy Creech is on a tour and you are cordially invited! Find a time when he will be near you and don’t miss an opportunity to meet him and hear him speak!

2012 Equality Ride applications available!

by Jason Conner

We are pleased to announce that applications for the 2012 Soulforce Equality Ride are now available. The ride will run March 4 – May 2, with mandatory training January 3 – 11 and February 28 – March 3.

Before applying please read through the Equality Ride Frequently Asked Questions. Also, the ride in 2012 will include a three-member advisory panel, in addition to the ride co-directors. You can apply for the advisory panel at the same time that you apply for the ride.

We look forward to considering your applications and thank you for interest in this justice work!

APPLY ONLINE

An enthusiastic endorsement of Adam’s Gift

by Mel White

You may be standing in the aisle of a bookstore or sitting at your computer asking yourself “Why would I buy Adam’s Gift, a book about one brave pastor’s struggle to end “the persecution of Lesbians and Gays.” Here’s why: Whatever side you’re on in the current civil and ecclesial debate about homosexuality and homosexuals, reading this memoir – painful page after painful page – will help you understand why Jimmy’s battle to end spiritual violence is not about sexual orientation alone.

Adam’s Gift is not simply the dramatic, true story of one man’s courageous and sacrificial stand against denominational practices that lead to the denial of full inclusion for Lesbians and Gays.  It is also an intimate and powerful look.  The war being waged by Christians against the full inclusion of lesbians and gays is also a struggle for the heart and soul of the Christian church.

Don’t stop reading Adam’s Gift until you’ve been thoroughly appalled by every nasty letter Jimmy received for marrying a same-sex couple; every muttered slur or veiled threat whispered into Jimmy’s ear; every prejudiced and intolerant testimony against Jimmy in the historic trial that robbed the Christian church of his powerful and prophetic ministry.

Jimmy isn’t Gay.  He didn’t start his ministry with any thought of risking everything to take a stand on behalf of Lesbians and Gays.  The chance visit of a depressed and desperate Gay parishioner set Jimmy on a journey to find out the truth about homosexuality and homosexuals.  And on that journey he discovered that homosexuality is just another mysterious variation of God’s creation.