Sitting in Meadowlark Coffee & Espresso after our 14th school stop at Union College, the only thing that came to my mind was one thing: I was tired. I was tired from the lack of sleep and countless hours on the road. I was tired of watery hotel coffee. But most of all, I was tired at defending my humanity.
From the Canton Rep
Lesbian and gay advocates brought a message of equality Friday to Malone University.
The faith-based university does not permit homosexual activity on campus, per its student conduct policy.
Soulforce, a nonproft organization, visited the campus to promote safe education for its community. Supporters advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community and — in this case — students.
They have been on a national bus tour, the 2010 Equality Ride, stopping at faith-based colleges across the country.
Caitlin MacIntyre, director of the Equality Ride, said they hope to build relationships with schools and create a safe place for all students.
Friday’s daylong event at Malone was not open to the public.
MacIntyre, 21, said her group wants LGBTQ students at Malone to feel affirmed by God, “that being queer and Christian are not mutually exclusive,” she said.
Selections of press coverage from the 2010 Equality Ride thus far. For media inquiries, contact Jennifer Luu.
Baylor Lariat Online
This week, Baylor made a positive statement by allowing Soulforce on campus and welcoming them under the doctrine of Christian love.
More specifically, Kevin Jackson, vice president for student life, handled the equal rights advocacy group’s visit in a transparent manner that allowed for dialogue to take place on campus.
Equality Ride members walked around campus Tuesday speaking individually to a broad range of students advocating a message of acceptance for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals. [...]
Reporter News: Your Abilene Online
Local university administrators have been preparing for this bus stop for months. The SoulForce [sic] Equality Ride arrives at Hardin-Simmons University today, kicking off four days in Abilene. SoulForce’s two-month bus tour is visiting universities to discuss lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues. The group will visit HSU today and tomorrow and then Abilene Christian University on Friday.
Michael Whitehorn, senior vice president for student development at HSU, said he does not anticipate any problems with the group’s visit. “I expect (the visit) to be congenial, but I’m sure they’ll ask difficult questions about policy matters and whatnot,” Whitehorn said. [...]
An organization that advocates for the rights of “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning people,” will visit campus for the second time in four years this semester. Soulforce members will travel for almost two months on their tour of 13 universities in more than a dozen states.
Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson, vice president for Student Life and dean of students, said Soulforce contacted the universityand requested permission to stop at ACU on Apr. 9 as part of the 2010 Equality Ride. [...]
Omnibus Online
Everyone’s interest has at least been piqued by the upcoming Equality Ride visit of Soulforce April 14, the organization attempting to end “religious and political oppression” of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning people (LGBTQ).
“Currently, there is a visit itinerary and an agreement of understanding that is being discussed between the University and the Equality Ride group,” said Dean of Students Rob Harris in email correspondence. “Once there is mutual agreement, those details will be shared.”
Harris added, “If there is not a mutual agreement regarding the itinerary and memo of understanding, then the group will not be allowed on campus. Based on the group’s purpose, as stated in their letter, I anticipate an agreement being made.” [...]
Houghton Star
Many people were involved in the March 9 Equality Ride visit, but only one individual had close ties with both the Soulforce organization and Houghton College. Because of this unique distinction, former Houghton student Andrew Langdon was tasked by his fellow Equality Riders with organizing the day’s events. After the visit, The Houghton Star asked Langdon to reflect on his time at Houghton and share his thoughts about the March 9 visit. [...]
