Thank you Mel, for your courage, willingness and so many years of hard work. You have changed the world. I took the online non-violent training in the late 90′s. I was working at a University in a small town and was the only out staff. I became the sponsor for the on campus LGBT club…the first. We grew from 3 members to over 50 in just months. So many young people with no place to turn found us.
May your life be blessed as you have blessed so many others. In peace and love, Cassandra

I appreciate everything that Soulforce has done over the years. Much accomplished within the world, to be sure, and much more to accomplish. But that seems to be the real focus of Soulforce: the world, including that part of the world it calls “church”. Where is the teaching and work that illuminates the path to the real Jesus, who soundly condemned what we call “church” (whether its gay or straight “church”)? Yes, people need educated about the truth of the bible and God’s Word. They do NOT need to continue in human-focused “churches”, sure that all is well when those “churches” now accept Gay people.

Please consider becoming more about Jesus, and less about simply tweeking anti-Jesus and false Christian belief a bit.

A special thank you to Mel and Gary.

You led us all on an amazing journey to justice. You dedicated your lives to Soulforce and touched so many lives with your work.

May you know what a blessing you have been to our family.

We dearly love you both,
Randi & Philip

Dear Mel:

I was so surprised to read that you were retiring from Soulforce. After all Moses must have been around 80 before he was really used by the Lord. I read Stranger at the Gate when you first wrote it and am reading it for the second time. You and I have much in common. We are two years apart in age, I’m younger. We were both married to women we loved in the early 60′s. You lost your younger brother. I lost mine to suicide when he was 22.
We both have husbands that we love. Bob and I have just celebrated 42 years as friends, lovers and soul-mates. You have done so much to improve the lives of GLBTS folks. We fought in the courts for the right of same-sex couples to marry in Canada, and won. We want to express our thanks to you and Gary for the hard work, dedication and obedience to God over the past years. And we wish you well in all that you continue to do.

Your Canadian Brothers,

Lloyd and Bob Peacock

So many memories. From the first Lynchburg to the PCUSA Action in Minneapolis it has been an adventure. The call from Mel to come to Lynchburg surprised me but I am so glad that he refused to take my initial nos for an answer.

My life and my heart changed in ways to many to put down here. Other lives have been touched who had never heard of Mel White, or, Soulforce because I have. Mahalo (thank you) to Jimmy Creech for giving SF those all important words “Stop Spiritual Violence”.

Mahalo Cindi for asking Mel to document SF’s time and places. You have become the Family I wanted to create and G-d (isn’t she wonderful) gave You All to me for keeps. Mahalo ke Akua (thanks be to G-d).

I was one of the 200 in Lynchburg when we met with Jerry Falwell’s 200 and I returned to Lynchburg to be a peacekeeper at Lynchburg’s first Pride festival. These were profound moments in my life that have left an indelible mark for justice on my spirit. I am still in awe of the young father who came out of his house with his newborn child to stand with us in silent vigil at Thomas Road Baptist Church, who quietly and movingly told us he wanted a world where his child would be loved regardless of orientation or gender expression. I am still moved to tears when I think of the young children who were taught to shout hateful words at us as we stood to shelter those who came out of the closet in Lynchburg. Thank you Mel for the honor to practice Soulforce where ever we find ourselves.
Blessings, Rev. Fred L Hammond, Unitarian Universalist Minister

Dear Mel, Your retirement is so well earned. We never knew you when you were not doing the right thing for all of us. Lynne and I knew when you and Gary Left Dallas that we would miss you soarly, but we knew you were going to do great things. We are so proud of all that you have done. We had the opportunity to tell our girls your story while watching you and Mike on the Amazing Race. Libby commented that you two were the only ones who always played fair and never had a bad thing to say about anyone. We were able to tell her that this is how you live your life and to see your gentleness and fairness in that context allowed them to understand what you have been doing for Soulforce for our family and all families. I hope we can spend some time together now!! Love so much to you and Gary. Joann, Lynne and the girls.

Having been asked to fight for the rights of LGBT people without knowing them was an honor. Initially, I thought it would give me a chance to teach people the truth about God loving everyone, but things didn’t turn out that way. Fact is, people didn’t care to hear such a thing.

Sadly, I was ridiculed and fed some very nasty words; but through it all, I gained the empowerment to keep my head up and stay the course. So here I am, two years later and I am still on course; fighting the good fight.

Eventually, we will be free from hatred and ignorance, as well as homophobia. But until them, remember this, it takes two to tangle. Therefore, if you refuse to act as the oppressor and be the leader, you will overcome the darkness and find the light shining even in the hearts of those who profess to hate us.

After all, God created each of us; therefore, people are only acting out of confusion, and we have no one to blame but ourselves if we don’t each play an active role in educating society about the love of God and the misconceptions being taught about Scriptural doctrine.

That’s why everyone should read the Bible, Septaugint, Koran, Torah, and any other religious doctrine. If you do, you know what it says and no one can tell you any different. It’s those who fail to invest in their minds and hearts to know what was written to better our world, that keeps the blanket of darkness covering our land.

But rest assure, eventually everyone will know what the Word teaches, because its is written that they will.

http://defendingthewisdomofgod.blogpsot.com

LaShawn Fowler

Mel,
Words can never thank you enough for all that you have meant to me. Thank you for your work and your inspiration.
I’ll never forget turning on 60 Minutes in 1998 (?)and seeing you interviewed about Stranger at the Gate. For the first time in my life, I heard someone who “spoke my language” as an evangelical and as a gay man. For the first time in my life, I saw an intersection that I had never seen before. “You can be gay and a Christian.”
At the time, I was general manager of WOLC, a Christian radio station in Maryland.
With in a couple of years, I finally met you and Gary in person in Tulsa, during Pride Week. You convinced me to join you in Orlando for the SBC direct action. The timing worked and I risked beinjg outed….but, the proudest moment of my life was being arrested and sitting in a jail cell with you, Jimmy Creech, Jim and Phil Lawson and the others.
Afer a couple of years, I finally found work in public radio…and, moved to Boise, ID, where I continued my own activism with local groups.
When I moved to Boise, I also met the love of my life. Five years later, we were “married” in a UCC church, just before moving to Denver. And now, 4 years later, we are celebrating our anniversary on Nov 4.
‘When I think of that scared, closeted, lonely and confused person I was, I can’t thank you enough. Today, I’m on the Vestry of St John’s Episcopal Cathedral. My faith is strong and I’m out and proud…and, in a wonderful relationship.
There’s much more to this story….but, suffice it to say, YOU and Gary have been an incredible inspiration.
Congratulations on your changing role. And, thank you for the work you have begun and that will continue until justice is realized in very church and temple and synagogue.
Jim East
Aurora, CO

Dear Mel — You are my Hero and my Friend, thank you for bringing me into the world of justice, as I discovered the greatest gift one can give oneself: Courage.

I discovered the gift of Courage in Lynchburg, Virginia when we confronted Jerry Falwell and his followers. I remember talking to Jimmy Creech and the words “spiritual violence” came from my heart.

I found the gift of Courage and extreme saddness in Nebraska, at the Methodist trial of Jimmy Creech.

I found I had the gifts of Courage and Strength to stand up to my Episcopal church at GC in 2000 Denver to be arrested with many Heroes by my side.

You stood with me in spirit as I finally found the Courage and Strength to face my biggest demon, the Southern Baptist pastor who sexually abused me as a kid and destroyed my trust.

Mel, you and Gary truly have changed my life for good. I love you both and still laugh when I think of you rolling that cheese ball up the hill!!!