Thank you for what you’re doing. I could afford neither the time nor the money to join you on the Baylor campus this time. In my day (I didn’t yet admit that I was gay) labels like queer were hardly said aloud. Please keep the dialog going.

Mike Herrington
B.A. , 1964

I was on the 1st. walk for freedom in the Gay/lesbian/trangender walk 1969
houston,texas when perrsey forman lawyer helped fight right of pants, shirts
by sewing the plants. many other places.
we come a long way, it been a life time for me and Marriages(ya) is very pluss.
our main issue is still on the plate of our new up coming kids fighting the fight to be treated fro who they are. as long as they do not shuve it is someone’s face..i know many of us (yes) even I could have yrs ago.
Chin up! Family
“united we stand,Devided We Fall”
there is a some came out in 1973
we need to vote for out right! Step up and be counted!! jo crane

Equality Riders:
You rock. Keep on rocking those that need to be awakened to the inclusive nature of genuine faith. Your work is changing hearts and minds and encouraging so many LGBTQ students. Keep rollin’!
Julie

Thank you all for your brave witness.

You all are so brave. It is your courage that will make change happen. Please know that your courage will inspire others to gain courage too. Thank you!

Keep up the good work!!

Thank you for spreading the message that God is an inclusive God. Your work is a blessing to so many and has already opened so many’s hearts and minds. Bless you.

I remember when a student from my college did the Equality ride. We were all so proud of them, as we are of you. Thank you SO MUCH for the work that you do!

Hats off to all of you for taking a stand against ill-conceived religious dogma.

We are ALL God’s children.

As a conservative, Christian Mom of a gay son and a bisexual daughter-in-law, the picture of your demonstration at Mississippi college brought tears to my eyes. What a profound way to state the truth. I wish I could go up to each of you and hug you. Jesus loves you as you are.

You are a light for the LGBTQA community!
God bless you and strengthen you along your journey toward justice and inclusion for all.

Love from a grateful mom from the Woodstock-McHenry County (IL) chapter of PFLAG.

You are making a very positive witness and changing hearts and minds on your Equality Ride. Blessings and Peace be with you.

You are all big-time heros in our book! Steve and I both thank you for your postcards from the road. They mean a lot to us and we’re so proud of what you are doing! Rock on, all of you on the “Big Queer Bus” !!

I received the below today from Frank Zerilli, confidential assistant to MCC Founder Rev. Troy Perry, about ER coverage in Abilene, Texas, where you’re headed next:

The local ABC affiliate did a very long, very detailed, very excellent story last evening on SoulForce coming to Abilene. They interviewed the Presidents of both Hardin-Simmons and Abilene Christian University, who both said they look forward to welcoming the SoulForce riders and meeting and talking with them. They said, “we are doing what Christ would have done.” Amazing! Then the news story went on to say the riders are NOT going to McMurry, so the reporter went to McMurry to ask them why and they said “because we don’t have any policies at all that discriminate against gay people.”

It was a really good, really long story. I was impressed.

Frank

You guys blow me away every year! Thanks for putting yourselves out there in the face of what at times I know must be pure hatefulness. Youa re very brave and you are making a difference.

Way to go, folks! Thank you all for your courage in
witnessing at the various colleges and universities.
Peace,
Jane

I think it fabulous what you all are doing.I first heard about soulforce about 3 years and I wish that I was able to jon you. I am a college student myself and my partner and I have 2 children and 1 on the way. Thank you Thank you Thank you for all that you do!

To all of you, past, present, and future, my most sincere prayer is that God who knows who we are, and understands our traumas will very richly bless you all and keep you safe. In the new earth I believe you will shine as the stars throughout eternity.

I am in Sydney, Australia and I do so appreciate what you are doing over there.

Brian

I wish I could be there to give you support and for those that have been intimidated, harassed and have been physically harmed from being true to the core of their being from protesting this outrageous and antiquated thoughts of anyone that supposedly is outside the “norm”. What is not norm is not allowing diversity , free expression, self expression to exist. evolution is always changing it never stops. If it did life on earth wouldn’t exist and wouldn’t be as beautiful and as expressive and loving as all of our brothers and sisters of the LGBT and the people who support us as well as they are supporting the diversity of life everywhere.
My sincerest support for all of you,
Troy

Thank you so much for the work that you are doing. This is so much needed in so many communities around the country. God loves all of you and so do I. I pray there comes a day when we all can be who we are as we are created, openly, honestly, without condemnation.
Thanks again, and keep up the good work!
Peace and Blessings to you all.

Thank you all for your courage and conviction. The Equality is an extremely important mission and you guys are all brave pioneers.

Carry on. Maybe I’ll join you next year. You are a force of nature.

Having been born in Birmingham – I know how big what you are doing is! I’m so thankful for you and how brave you all are. I also know that you are making a profound difference for young and old gay/bi/transgender people in the South. (Consequently, you will also be making a positive impact on heterosexuals, too – they may not appreciate it right now – but they will!)

Your hard work and dedication serves as a living testament to bringing positive change to members of the LGBTQ community using non-violence!

Have strength and courage my young friends, you are making a difference!

You may not be able to change all minds and hearts, but all it takes is just 1.

Oh how I wish that you would allow “old” people like me on this ride. Instead my dear friend Brian is riding for me. You are all an amazing group of ambassadors of love, peace and acceptance. The results may not show at each stop along the way but you have no idea whose life will be changed tomorrow, a month or a year from now. You are in my heart everyday and I cheer for you!!!

Thank you so much for what you do. I went to Wheaton College a long time ago, so your work with Christian colleges means so much to me.
Mike

I’m proud of every one of you. Keep standing for truth, and know that many are standing with you.

Blessings and safe travels as you continue this important work. God loves all of her children – no exceptions!

You guys are awesome! Your courage and dedication are an inspiration to us all. Our prayers and thoughts go with you, and may He keep you safe throughout.

I applaud your courage and dedication to this important issue – that really shouldn’t even be an issue. After all, being gay doesn’t make a person any less human.

Thank you all for the stand you are taking. It is time for these kinds of policies to be brought down. We are ALL God’s children. It is sad that WE have to go to the lengths we do, just to be treated fairly. God Bless You All!!!

way to go, equality riders! keep fighting the good fight

My loving grandparents are buried in Waco. We are all proud of your witness for love for all humankind. I know there are loving people living in Waco still, above the soil. Have courage and peace. You are loved.

Hang in there. Overcoming religious bigotry is critical. I know what you are going through and please don’t give up.

Thanks for all the hard work!!! We love you down here in Austin Texas and don’t forget to come out and support on May 22, 10 as we Unite & Fight on the capital steps!!!

Stand tall and stand proud, for I am proud of all of you.

You are incredibly brave. Your work is so important to the creation of a just world. Thank you.

Your work is an inspiration to me. I know you are touching the lives of many young people everywhere you go and giving them hope. You certainly are being the hands and feet and face of Christ in the world. God bless you and keep you strong.

I am so happy for the Equality Riders! Next stop should be Pensacola Christian in Florida! I went there and it is horrible how they treat gay men and women. Gay people are NOT deviants….they are children of God too!

As a straight 76 year old woman who has never had to face what you face, I must tell you I admire your courage. The old guard will soon have to give ground to young people who, for the most part, have a more just outlook on life.

Dear Riders,

We are so excited about your arrival today in Abilene and so proud of all of you and the witness to justice, love and welcome that each of you bring with you. Our local bigcountryhomepage.com has a poll going to ask local citizens whether a welcome should be extended to you or not and we’ve sent out word to people to vote with a resounding “YES!” Even though Abilene is the third most conservative city in America, our citizens typically land “50/50″ on the issue of fairness and justice for LGBTQQ (and “S”!) people, so I am hopeful that the poll will demonstrate that response and, in my prayers, even better! We love you!

Rev. Dr. Cindi Love

Ride on, Riders! I was an original 2006 Rider and I am so proud and impressed with the good work you all continue to do. Stay strong, support each other, and remember the important message you’re bringing. Even when it seems like your message isn’t being heard by students and administrators, know that there’s at least one closeted/questioning student in that audience who needs to hear they are loved! Ride on!!

Thank you for you creative nonviolent vigil.
You are among that great cloud of witnesses for truth and justice and love.
Most Christians have limited understanding that when there is a truth to bring we are to “DO Justice” in the world –
Scripture reads: we “must be very, VERY courageous.”
And YOU are.
Thank YOU for your bravery!
Soulforcee Cindy H

I am envious of your opportunities to make a real change in the faith-based discrimination that comes from certain campuses. I often wonder what it would be like being arrested for justice.

Thank you, every one who is helping out again thank you. I was told once, what is the importance of one person coming out? I know now the answer to that question through the work that you all do. One person can make a difference, but even more, a group of people can change the world. You all are my heroes, thank you and many blessing.

I believe that the Bible says that we are all created in Gods image. I doubt that God wants us to treat any individual as a sub-human. The Judaic – Christian faiths teaches us to forgive and open our hearts to others. Stop being horrible to others in the name of God.

You are courageous disciples of Christ who are witnessing Christ’s message of God’s Love and Inclusion for ALL of God’s children especially those who are being ostracized, vilified ,libeled, slandered and subject to violence by people who make and worship an ancient, pre-scientific era, humanely written, misunderstood, misquoted and interpreted book, replete with contradictions, their false god.

You guys are rock stars! We appreciate all that you are sacrificing to help spread the word that God loves LGBT humans as much as anyone else. Our prayers remain with you on your journey. My partner and I are 85 and 60 respectively and have been supporters of soul force since it’s conception. It is evident because of your that our money and spiritual support is not in vain. Great changes, though slow, are really happening.

Good to see that despite riding around the county on a bus you guys are still looking good out there. You are all beautiful people! Keep up the good work. As I get out of the military in a coulpe months a new friend wished me, “good luck on my transition from soldier to warrior.” It stuck with me. I’m excited to join you guys in the good fight from the outside.

I find it interesting that you only post comments of those who are supportive of your efforts. What about those who believe you are loved by God but need to be rebuked for your behaviors. God has made it very clear what he expects of us concerning sexuality and you are blatantly defying his instruction. Shame on you for trying to pull others down your destructive path!!

I am glad for the work that you do, but really upset that you guys did not visit MC Law. I think the Mississippi College of Law is worse than MC and more actionable, since the American Bar Association has oversight to MC Law. I’ve told you my story many times… but one more time. MC Law falsely advertises that it does not discriminate against GLBT folks, but then distributes a secret, internal anti-gay statement after enrollment. This place is a nightmare!!! A week ago, I had what I believe to be a another student call in the middle of the night and threaten me. We could have really used you here!

I cant be there, but I support what soulforce is doing.

What we need to do is help save all the “demented by their church” Christians from punching their own tickets to hell, by letting the sick bible thumpers mislead them down a path of hatred in the name of God and Jesus.

And in the end, these hate filled churches – typically many southern Baptist and like minded independent christian churches will preach only to the dust in their pews, and the dust of their departed.

And mankind will be free of hatred and ignorance in the name of God. Hallelujah

I’ve been telling my neighbor about what y’all are doing and she wrote a check to Soulforce for $75. She said she usually only contributes to animal welfare and not human but thought that the work y’all are doing lift up all of God’s creatures!

Hi to Uncle Bill C!

I was blessed to meet the crew of Soulforce at Safe Harbor Family Church in Jackson, Ms. All of you are a blessing from above. Thank you for your continued hard work for our equal rights. May God be with you on your journey. I look forward to seeing all of you again soon.

I am just wondering…..How do you guys think that it is going to work by going to Christian campuses and trying to turn them into homosexuals after it clearly states in the bible, Do not sleep with another man? Its not like the people hate you….they’re going by what the old testament has stated. You are all of God’s children, but if something isn’t right, then it is a sin. Wouldn’t you say?

Daniel (& others who may be reading),

To be clear: the Equality Ride does not go to campuses to “turn” anyone into anything… that would of course be futile.

The Equality Ride brings a message of affirmation that there is nothing sick and nothing sinful about being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or even questioning. Religion has been used by some as a weapon and it has also been a source of strength and inspiration for others.

We meet and are encouraged by queer students already at these schools and we go to bring attention to the injustices they experience and the unsafe atmosphere which anti-queer school policies create.

And finally, we do not believe that same gender relationships are condemned. If you are looking for more resources on how the Bible has been misused against LGBTQ people, you can email info@soulforce.org and someone will get you started. Such a discussion is not well-suited to a blog post comment.

Cheers!