Sherrie Z
03-20-2007, 09:45 PM
Hello!
I just recently found out about Soulforce due to an email from the President of Fresno Pacific University notifying alumni of the impending Equality Ride visit there ... something tells me that the alumni email was not intended as a recruiting tool for your organization, but that is the result in my case ... wink wink. And what a great website and organization you have here!
I graduated from Fresno Pacific in 1976 when it was still called Fresno Pacific College ... now Fresno Pacific University. I am very excited that the Equality Riders will be visiting my alma mater! And I'm hoping that some other FPC/FPU people will find their way to this board after your visit there.
In the interests of introducing myself to this board but also in particular to provide an update to any FPC/FPU people who may be reading this, here goes ... the following is a brief summary of some parts of my history -- as relates to the focus of this board.
I had a very good experience at FPC (a Mennonite college), followed by a two year stint with Mennonite Voluntary Service in Chicago. I lived in Chicago for 17 years, and then moved to San Francisco where I now reside. Over the years much of my focus has been on the arts, and on social activism. By the way, I was not raised Mennonite but I especially appreciated their pacifist stance and social service emphasis ... at this point, when asked, I have identified as liberal Quaker.
In 1978 (following MVS), I felt drawn (though I would say "called") to see what I might be able to do to increase understanding between the gay and straight communities ... especially in relation to persons of faith.
Around that time Anita Bryant was on her highly publicized anti-gay crusade, unfortunately representing persons of faith as unenlightened bigots. As a person of faith I wanted to promote an alternative representation and viewpoint, and to clearly and publicly disassociate myself from the embarrassing judgmental brand of religiosity held by Bryant and others like her.
As a non-LGBT person coming from an evangelical background (albeit a liberal version of such) I wanted to work in a liaison position to directly challenge my straight brothers and sisters to rethink their attitudes toward the gay community. I wanted to work for gay rights legislation, and I wanted to join in with pro-gay communities of faith. So for about five years following, I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by many wonderful, loving and kind people from those communities of faith (and other related groups) as we worked together toward those aims, and since that time I have continued my support for the cause.
By the way, at that time the phrase "gay community" was popular, but thankfully since that time the more inclusive phrase "GLBT community" has come into common use. Just recently I have begun to expand my awareness of issues specifically related to the "T" of GLBT, to learn more and hopefully to help to increase understanding of and support for the transgender members of the community.
I am very glad to connect with everyone here, but I especially hope to connect with anyone here with ties to FPC/FPU, or with Mennonites and Quakers, or with supporters in Chicago or San Francisco. I'm guessing that following the Equality Ride visit to FPU, some of the students and others there will be visiting this website, and I am very much hoping to hear from them here.
I am very impressed with Soulforce and the Equality Ride project ... thank you so much for your excellent efforts!
Hugs & Love,
Sherrie Z [last name deleted]
I just recently found out about Soulforce due to an email from the President of Fresno Pacific University notifying alumni of the impending Equality Ride visit there ... something tells me that the alumni email was not intended as a recruiting tool for your organization, but that is the result in my case ... wink wink. And what a great website and organization you have here!
I graduated from Fresno Pacific in 1976 when it was still called Fresno Pacific College ... now Fresno Pacific University. I am very excited that the Equality Riders will be visiting my alma mater! And I'm hoping that some other FPC/FPU people will find their way to this board after your visit there.
In the interests of introducing myself to this board but also in particular to provide an update to any FPC/FPU people who may be reading this, here goes ... the following is a brief summary of some parts of my history -- as relates to the focus of this board.
I had a very good experience at FPC (a Mennonite college), followed by a two year stint with Mennonite Voluntary Service in Chicago. I lived in Chicago for 17 years, and then moved to San Francisco where I now reside. Over the years much of my focus has been on the arts, and on social activism. By the way, I was not raised Mennonite but I especially appreciated their pacifist stance and social service emphasis ... at this point, when asked, I have identified as liberal Quaker.
In 1978 (following MVS), I felt drawn (though I would say "called") to see what I might be able to do to increase understanding between the gay and straight communities ... especially in relation to persons of faith.
Around that time Anita Bryant was on her highly publicized anti-gay crusade, unfortunately representing persons of faith as unenlightened bigots. As a person of faith I wanted to promote an alternative representation and viewpoint, and to clearly and publicly disassociate myself from the embarrassing judgmental brand of religiosity held by Bryant and others like her.
As a non-LGBT person coming from an evangelical background (albeit a liberal version of such) I wanted to work in a liaison position to directly challenge my straight brothers and sisters to rethink their attitudes toward the gay community. I wanted to work for gay rights legislation, and I wanted to join in with pro-gay communities of faith. So for about five years following, I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by many wonderful, loving and kind people from those communities of faith (and other related groups) as we worked together toward those aims, and since that time I have continued my support for the cause.
By the way, at that time the phrase "gay community" was popular, but thankfully since that time the more inclusive phrase "GLBT community" has come into common use. Just recently I have begun to expand my awareness of issues specifically related to the "T" of GLBT, to learn more and hopefully to help to increase understanding of and support for the transgender members of the community.
I am very glad to connect with everyone here, but I especially hope to connect with anyone here with ties to FPC/FPU, or with Mennonites and Quakers, or with supporters in Chicago or San Francisco. I'm guessing that following the Equality Ride visit to FPU, some of the students and others there will be visiting this website, and I am very much hoping to hear from them here.
I am very impressed with Soulforce and the Equality Ride project ... thank you so much for your excellent efforts!
Hugs & Love,
Sherrie Z [last name deleted]