Notre Dame, Day 1

Notre Dame – Our first day on campus, a beautiful winter wonderland. We opened the day by standing vigil outside the campus perimeter holding our banner, which reads: Social Justice for LGBT Students. We naturally generated some stares from drivers-by and happily received some smiles and waves.

A lovely Notre Dame freshman named Eddie Vasquez escorted us onto campus. His bravery – to be openly associated with us on a campus voted the most inhospitable to LGBT students by the Princeton Review – spoke volumes to me. At one point, he and I locked arms, and I told him, “Eddie, I came here for you. I hope you feel encouraged and less alone.” He thanked me and complimented me on my hair. Like I said, lovely man.

Once on campus, we made our way to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. It was breathtakingly beautiful! Inside the Basilica, I felt very reverent and open to Notre Dame as a community of believers. I knelt, I stood, I prayed, I sang. When it came time for communion, I was deeply moved by my strong desire to get up and take part. Kneeling on the bench, I felt saddened that I was not recognized as a disciple of Christ worthy of taking part in the symbolic “body and blood”. Then, looking up and seeing three of my equality riding family members in line to receive made me equally happy, acknowledging the reality that we are all one. God reminded me that even if no one on this planet validates me, I am worthy in God’s eyes.

After mass we convened in the student center for lunch. I had an engaging conversation with a professor of engineering named Jim Powers. It encouraged me that he was able to see that we as Soulforce came to his campus in a spirit of love. In the end, I offered him our pamphlet What the Bible Says and Doesn’t Say About Homosexuality. He accepted and we parted ways.

Things got serious in the student center when Eddie took a stand and attracted students’ attention by publicly introducing us as a group and explaining that we were here to open up honest dialogue. I had so much admiration for him and for his friend, another Notre Dame student who also spoke. I attempted to videotape but my trembling hand thwarted the attempt. A guy in the audience mockingly clapped and said welcome, then in the same breath added, “Go away, we don’t care.” Next up were our very own Kelsey Pacha and Delfin Bautista, two of our Catholic Equality Riders. They were precise, eloquent, and carried themselves well. The majority of students and staff did not even look up from their lunch or laptops.

I noticed a man videotaping from a stealth angle, so when the mini testimonials came to a close, I chose to introduce myself to him and his companions. Jessica Kalup and I inquired as to who they were and told them a bit about Soulforce. The four men said that they were visiting from Illinois and were just being touristy because they heard something interesting happening. I never did find out what they were doing in visiting Notre Dame that day; they were elusive and inquisitive of whether or not we were anti religion. Thinking back, I really don’t know if I buy their “tourist” story. They very well could have been the four men I saw earlier that morning parked in a small S.U.V. observing our vigil line from across the street. We gave them business cards and shook hands and said our goodbyes, then shifted our attention to the students.

Right about that time, we got word that four of our members distributing booklets and buttons requested of them by students had been given official written notices instructing them to leave campus and never return lest they be arrested for “criminal trespassing.” So just as we were escorted on, we were escorted off. Walking past gorgeous architecture and playful squirrels in the snow, I told Eddie about being kicked out of my home when my landlord suspected that I was gay. He told me how his mom told his dad that he (Eddie’s father) could leave the home if he had a problem with Eddie’s orientation. High five to Eddie’s mom for being a loving mother with strong conviction.

We concluded our night with a pizza dinner at the Zion UCC of South Bend. Community members and students from Notre Dame, St. Mary’s, and Bethel College welcomed us whole-heartedly and surrounded us with smiles and love. Dan Seda preformed his monologue, Cylest sang “Love Can Build a Bridge,” and Emily and I each read two of our poems. I received so much positive feedback! Our group also gave two presentations, titled “A Christian Thing To Do” and “In God’s Image.” They were impeccable, and I felt like a proud mother as I watched my friends speak from their hearts in such an intelligent and thoughtful way. I conclude this journal entry with the last stanza from tonight’s poetry reading:

We all have lessons to learn.
Christ came to show us the way.
He spoke about vines and branches,
Never did he condemn a gay.

All for love,

Jillian Nye

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