My experience in Lincoln is good so far in that there are some initiatives towards equality extended to QTBLG (Queer, Transgender, Bisexual, Lesbian, & Gay- and YES IN THAT ORDER so don’t get it twisted) folks.  The community really likes us being in town & it inspires them to be more open about being QTBLG.  Though I found that I had to initiate the conversations about queer experiences and rights, that tells me that (1) they aren’t used to talking about it amongst themselves and (2) they are hesitant to talk about it for fear of being attacked or ostracized.  When I did bring them back to the topic, I felt that they were very happy to talk about their personal experiences of being queer in Lincoln.  I felt like they were resting their heads on my shoulder (figuratively) to find comfort and that is a feeling I can’t describe!

Yesterday, I met with an old colleague/friend & his boyfriend who showed me around town yesterday and we got to catch up on life & talk about what its like being queer in Lincoln.  They are such an adorable couple and so deeply committed, but when I asked if they hold hands in public or kiss (PDA) like so many straight couples do (and take for granted), they said no.  Again, they are in a beautiful relationship that’s lasted 3 years and still going strong. They shouldn’t have to worry about having to hide their love.  I shudder to think that I might have to do that when I get into a relationship.

Earlier today, we were invited to an affirming church where there was great food, great people, and great discussion!  I’m glad that our conversations weren’t just limited to LGB rights but also covered the T and it ventured towards talks about racism and affirmations of high school QTBLG groups.  Our time was very limited though and it saddens me that it had to end so soon because the conversations were scintillating.  There were some folks from different congregations, schools, and The Human Rights Campaign.  I wish the representative stayed around for the racism conversation and that we didn’t have to spend so much time talking about other things that stalled the conversation that people needed to have. There were awesome Union College students & faculty in attendance as well.  I heard many wonderful things and learned that the faculty created a “safe space” which has a mini LGBTQ resource library. There is a space set up with chairs where students can come, sit, chill, and find affirming faculty members.  LGBTQ students are already making use of this space. This is a wonderful resource for Union students that I am thankful that they have.

While that is great, Union still needs to extend their anti-harrasment policy to include protection to QTBLG students.  I’m also hoping that Union will encourage all faculty and staff to be safe zone trained- as some of them already have signs on their doors.  We also hope to encourage a comprehensive RA (Resident Advisor) training so they could better respond to someone who identifies as QTBLG or an ally.

Upon hearing these gems, I’m very excited about our visit to Union College tomorrow!  I’m very glad that I get to help pave the road to equality for all by clearing up some negative myth-conceptions about queer folks, advocating for the importance of safe spaces, highlighting the other -isms that is connected with homophobia, and build personal rapports with Union students, faculty, & the greater Lincoln community!  Ciao for now.

Peace, Love, Namaste, & Equality for all!

We are nearing the end of Equality Ride, and I’ve been meditating a lot about this one question: “What is love?” It’s a big concept to think about, but at the same time one of the simplest emotions to feel and identify. I feel love for my fellow Riders, and I feel love for all of the people we’ve met (and will continue to meet) on this wild adventure.

I have to admit – I’ve been thinking about what I want to write in this blog for days, and our recent visits to Southwest Baptist University and Bethel College provided some clarity on the topic of love. While discussing how Christians should love their GLBTQ siblings during a panel at SBU, an SBU professor said: “The way I love you – I call it love, and you call it oppression.” This didn’t sit well with me, for what (I hope) are obvious reasons.

Similarly, our stop at Bethel College was challenging. At one point during a large group discussion with Riders and Bethel students, administrators, and faculty, Jennifer spoke quite powerfully: ”I’ve been sitting here for a long time feeling really emotional. I know it’s not anyone’s fault that your school is the thirteenth of 15 schools that we’re visiting, but I am so tired of hearing over and over again, my experience of being queer listed next to sins like lying, or being queer talked about as something to struggle with like gossip. I understand that people here believe that it’s a sin. And I don’t. I don’t struggle with it. But it’s hard for me to sit here and listen to this being said over and over again because I am in a relationship with a woman that Ilove. I love her. And I want to build a life with her and build children with her… What other sin is a part of building a loving life with someone?”

A professor in the room then said that humans have a flawed perspective of what love really is because we’re all in sin. As a response to Jennifer’s passionate proclamation of love for Cait, he proposed that humans have no idea what love looks like because of original sin, and thereby condemned Jennifer and Cait’s relationship. At this point, I was boiling. I saw the look on Jennifer’s face when the professor said this, and I had to speak up. “Sir, if I understood you correctly, I don’t think that you heard anything that Jennifer just shared. I know Cait and Jennifer, and they are truly in love. How can you say that their love is sinful? It’s not hurting anyone! In fact, it’s beautiful. I feel personally hurt by this comment because I am in love with someone who’s not on Equality Ride, and I constantly have to fight for my right to love my partner.”

When Riders share their stories very openly and honestly, from a vulnerable place that may still be an open wound, we hope to never be met with cruel words or admonishments that who we are – core parts of our identity and our sense of self – is sinful. Unfortunately, we hear those things often. I’m exhausted from trying to find relatable ways of saying (in Jennifer Luu’s words), “You live in this world with humans, as you are a human. It is right and good to be nice to said humans and not be a jerk. Please try it. Please.”

We’ve been all over the country in the past seven weeks, and I’ve learned that people love to play the “us vs. them” game. But when we start playing the “us vs. them” game, we lose sight of what it means to love. One way that WE – people, humanity, folks of every faith background, culture, race, sexual orientation, gender, ability, class – are set free is by telling our own story, sharing from our heart the experience of what it means to be [your name here]. While facts can help explain us, only stories can save us. And only when we know each others’ stories can we truly love each other. So listen. Receive. Learn. Open your heart to what your neighbor shares with you.

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.

Read the full article

Let me tell you a little bit about Amanda Lee.  She is a woman of tremendous strength, resourcefulness, and love.  Her recent story involves overcoming enormous challenges over seven years to earn her Bachelor’s degree at an Assemblies of God Bible school in Minnesota, a degree she desired so she could serve God and minister to His people in love and truth.  But two months before her scheduled graduation last May, she was kicked out for being bisexual.

Although it’s been almost a year since then as of the time of this posting, Amanda Lee applied to join the Equality Ride last Fall – less than 5 months after getting kicked out of her school and losing her ministry and housing.  When all the riders met for our first training in January, it had been little more than half a year.  That was when she volunteered to be the stop planner for a Baptist school in Springfield, Missouri – which is also home to the world headquarters for the Assemblies of God.

The Assemblies of God is a very large, very influential, very conservative Christian denomination.  Their “firm stance on homosexuality” is responsible for an enormous amount of spiritual violence against gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer people around the world.

(more…)

Today we visited the much anticipated Baylor University.  Two years ago when Soulforce visited the campus they chalked in front of the chapel and were asked to stop. All but five Riders and one student stopped at which point the ones that continued were arrested on trespassing charges.  Yes, I said “chalked” which is the same as writing on sidewalk and streets with chalk.  When they were taken to jail they were cavity searched, kept overnight before pretrial even though they were arrested mid-day, and a Trans Rider was mistreated he was placed in a female cell.  All this, may I repeat, for chalking on sidewalk.

Mia and Jaxon, the Stop Planners for the school, coordinated a different approach this year and negotiated with administrator’s permission on campus to speak to students, faculty, and staff.   (more…)