We visited Valley Forge Christian College in Phoenixville, PA as our first stop. This Assemblies of God institution is located just 40 minutes outside of Philadelphia, my hometown. Listing homosexuality as sexual immorality, I am outraged that such a space exists in my community.

The weeks between our first training in Austin and our time in Phoenixville were spent preparing. We met with a lot of GSA type groups at local colleges: Temple, West Chester, Arcadia. We outreached to local Metropolitan Community Churches and REFUGE, the queer alliance at Eastern University. We even contacted queer organizations in Philly and rallied their support.

We spent our first night in Phoenixville getting acquainted with the area. We immersed ourselves in the coffee shops and eateries along Bridge St, talking with community members and patrons. We even took over the open mic night at Steel City with special performances by Mia Tu Mutch and Jennifer Luu. These long sips of coffee and tasty treats were a calm moment before the storm.

As a Philadelphia resident and a usual patron at all three of our major pride events in town, I am very familiar with Repent America, a Christian anti-gay group based in Pennsylvania. They’re the folks with the loud bullhorns and Bible-versed signs who stand on stepladders and condemn us all to hell, saying we’re sick and sinful. I did my best to prepare my fellow Riders for their arrival, in the likely event they attend.

When our bus arrived, we were met with Repent America. They were waiting with their signs and horns and speech. One by one, community members came: Reverend Jordan and folks from MCC Philadelphia, Reverend Karla Fleshman of Imago Dei MCC in Glen Mills, Reverend Jen Glass from Lancaster. Students from other colleges came and supported us, a much bigger turn out than I’d hoped.

I received an email the night before from an anonymous student who anticipated our arrival but stated that fear of being expelled would keep them from participating. It broke my heart. We had our rally at the backside of school and I just kept thinking of that student, keeping them in my heart and prayers.

We spent the day on the vigil line, singing songs, sharing stories and tears and talks and hugs. We clapped. We cheered. It felt really good that even in the face of our adversaries we were still smiling, happy, and joyous. I can’t express the level of good I felt to be there as our authentic selves, celebrating and not ashamed.

We spent the rest of our time in the area at affirming congregations, breaking bread and sharing stories. Friday night we had dinner at Thomas Paine UUF in Collegeville, PA and were overwhelmed with delicious food and open arms. Saturday we worked with Reverend Jordan and MCC Philadelphia cleaning the West Philly streets and devouring an amazing lunch. After, we received an official citation from the city government, welcoming us to Philadelphia. We then explored the National Constitution Center and learned of our country’s history, a story of which we are all apart.

Saturday night, many local organizations came together with 2006 Rider Tommy Atz at the William Way Center. We met with my neighbors; beautiful faces from across the city who cheered us on and helped build us up. In these moments, I was more proud of my hometown Philly than I’ve ever been.

Sunday morning we went to a service at Imago Dei MCC and then we were off to Harrisburg for a meal on our way to Houghton NY.

I am grateful to see such loving change and congregating community happen in my home. I would like to thank all of the people who helped make this possible and I cannot wait to reconnect with you when I return.

Thank you!

More photos from the stop at VFCC:

Previous

Next