Washingont Post Article on Equity Ride East

[akbdc99]

In todays Washington Post there is a great article on the Patrick Henry stop.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/12/AR2007041202438.html?hpid=artslot

At the moment, If you go to www.washingtonpost.com it is featured on the front page of the website including a video of the stop.

Great work on the part of the riders!! :D

Alan

[Daniel]

Alan- thanks for your post. The article captures things nicely, expecially the end where students of the school out themselves. Powerful stuff.

[Allyson]

Wow... What's next? Barbed wire and attack dogs?

Jarrett and Robin spoke wonderfully. I'm so proud of all the Riders!

:love: :love: :love:

[Rick336]

Thanks for posting the article Alan. Having this story appear on the front page of the Washington Post's website is great exposure for the group. Hopefully it will bring folks to this site to see what we're all about.

Way to go Equality Riders!!!

Rick

[davidb]

So it's a university for kids who've been home-schooled? That is so scary to me. At what point do these young adults integrate into larger society? And they go right from Patrick Henry to Capitol Hill?:eek:

________________________________________
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.

--Emerson

[akbdc99]

So it's a university for kids who've been home-schooled? That is so scary to me. At what point do these young adults integrate into larger society? And they go right from Patrick Henry to Capitol Hill?:eek:

________________________________________
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.

--Emerson

I'm sure they will get a big awakening on Capitol Hill, especially when they realize how many of their republican co-workers can be found at Halo or Jr's on any night of the week. :lol: But then again I heard stories of people that worked for Mark Foley, even after he got caught up in the page scandal, didn't know their boss was gay. :'( But I guess that goes to the bigger picture of how many people don't want to realize that GLTB's are in all walks of life and all stripes politically.

The video was interesting to watch especially when they interviewed the Students. Did anyone else's gaydar go off when the second student was interviewed?

[davidb]

And I love how the President says that Soulforce's goal isn't dialogue, but to silence Patrick Henry's position. Didn't Soulforce initiate the dialogue? And yes, Justin pings a little.

_________________________________________
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.

--Emerson

[scott snedeker]

I am so proud of the equality riders.

We are winning! And when we win so does everyone, even if they don't believe it yet!

[antonyh]

Washington Post attention is pretty fantastic. Way to go Equality Riders :D

[Diane Vera]

The above-linked article is:

Young, Gay Christians, On a Bumpy Bus Ride
At Evangelical College, Protesters Target Culture That Excludes Them
By Hanna Rosin
Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/12/AR2007041202438.html?hpid=artslot)
Friday, April 13, 2007; Page C01

And here's a brief, scary excerpt from the first page:

"Listen up, folks," said Robin Reynolds, who organized the Patrick Henry stop and had gathered everyone for a briefing. This was the night before, and the riders were crowded into a room at the Super 8 Motel. ...

"All Patrick Henry faculty and students must adhere to a worldview that says the Earth was created in six days," Reynolds began. "The Bush administration loves them so much. As a tiny school they've had as many White House interns as Georgetown. Janet Ashcroft [wife of former Attorney General John Ashcroft] is on the board. That tells you so much right there."

... "What's scary is that these people are going straight to Capitol Hill and the White House without ever talking to people of different views," she said.

Another politically noteworthy paragraph on the first page:

Reynolds had the makings of a public relations problem for Patrick Henry. She is African American, and the school is highly self-conscious of its inability to recruit many African American students (this year it has one out of a student body of about 325). She is earnest and polite and always speaks earnest evangelese -- "goodness gracious" and "my word" and "have a blessed day." Before she eats or takes a trip or makes a phone call, she prays to Jesus.

[antonyh]

The Bush administration loves them so much. As a tiny school they've had as many White House interns as Georgetown. Janet Ashcroft [wife of former Attorney General John Ashcroft] is on the board. That tells you so much right there.


How is that possible for an unaccredited school for homeschooled kids?

[davidb]

Bill Maher just had an amazing rant on Real Time on the whole Monica Goodling resignation. She's a graduate of Messiah College, where Soulforce's east riders were today, and Pat Robertson's Regent University Law School. She was a former Public Affairs Director at the DOJ, and at 33, was in charge of all 92 US Attorneys. Maher quotes the NY Times article that mentions that there are currently 150 graduates of Regent Univ. working in the current Bush administration.

[Steven E. Webster]

How is that possible for an unaccredited school for homeschooled kids?

The obvious answer to this question is that the Bush Administration has demonstrated again and again that they value "loyalty" over competence every day of the week.

This is why we should encourage all the Congressional oversight hearings to expose just how bad a government the "Bush theocracy" is.

Steven Webster

[antonyh]

The obvious answer to this question is that the Bush Administration has demonstrated again and again that they value "loyalty" over competence every day of the week.

That about sums it up :)

[akbdc99]

And I love how the President says that Soulforce's goal isn't dialogue, but to silence Patrick Henry's position. Didn't Soulforce initiate the dialogue?
_________________________________________
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.

--Emerson

That seems to be a tactic of any person who doesn't have an arguent, to accuse the other side of what they are actually doing. The "religous right" or "conservative republicans" seems to have this tactic down to a science.

The sad part is it works in this day of sound bites and 24 hours new cycles. Just look at 2002 and 2004 elections. Sometimes I wish the progressive movement, of which I considered Soul force a part of, would use these type of tactics.

[Daniel]

Just got back a little while ago from New York City's welcome to the East bus which was held at "G" on 19th Street, in the heart of Chelsea.

Wow! What a great group of kids. I was able to talk with about 6 of them.

The event was organized by SF New York: The gay media (Gay USA) in town was there in the person of Andy Humm; the leader of NYC's City Council, Christine Quinn- who is second in power to the mayor- and may run for mayor- had a proclamation read; Manhattan's respresentative in Congress, Jerrold Nadler, also had a proclamation read, honoring the work of SF which will be read into the congressional record on Monday. Yeah...it's politico stuff...but it's still nice to have the recognition.

I've never seen a gay bar with such a diverse and joyful crowd!

In chatting with many people there, as well as the Riders, I came away with the viseral feeling that the work being done by SF is extremely important. Of course, I knew this, but seeing the people involved, up close and personal, is something else entirely. It hits one in the gut.

Talking with Stephen, one the Riders, I also came away with this important point: wherever the ERiders have done, and regardless of the welcome or lack of it, students have come out to greet them, and on every occasion, those students have talked about their own sexuality.

This Ride is changing people. There can be no doubt of that.

And I heard of new plans in the works....really exciting stuff....but it's not for me to spill the beans.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://www.glounge.com/

[antonyh]

This Ride is changing people. There can be no doubt of that.


Thank you for the report. The ride is changing me in surprising ways :)

[Daniel]

Thank you for the report. The ride is changing me in surprising ways :)

Inquiring minds want to know- if you don't mind telling. :D

[u-dog]

And I heard of new plans in the works....really exciting stuff....but it's not for me to spill the beans.

Daniel!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad:

That is the CRUELEST thing I have ever seen you do !!!!

[akbdc99]

It's great reading your post! Thanks for the update!!

[Daniel]

Daniel!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad:

That is the CRUELEST thing I have ever seen you do !!!!

Really? Not as cruel as threatening to post my drag pictures from a show I was in?

Now that I have a scanner, I'm going to have to make good on Andy's challenge!

"Does anyone still wear a hat?"

[antonyh]

...drag pictures from a show I was in...


I knew there was something fabulous about you but I could not put my finger on it ;)

[Daniel]

Drag can be fun!

Here are two pics from a production (Wonderful Town) where I was talked into doing drag by the director. My first and only time actually. And in front of any audience of 2700 people for two weeks straight....oh....did I say that?

The first pic is of me sitting with my gal-pal April on a set piece. She's costumed as a hobo, and the funny thing is that I am wearing the same dress she wore in another show (110 in the Shade) the season before. We both thought that was pretty hilarious. The shoes were on loan from the director who wore them in the original production of La Cage aux Folles on Broadway. Size 11. Man! Did my back ache after two weeks of rehearsal!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Cage_aux_Folles

And the wig is from another production called Marilyn- based on you-know-who. What a dog of a show- bad bad modern opera.

The second pic is with my colleague Eddie- who is quite the gentlemen. He got his start with Babs in Funny Girl. The stories he can tell- and does!

The only odd- and slightly upsetting thing- was the sidelong glances I got from the (straight!) crew guys and the snake-eyed looks from several female colleagues. Apparently, I looked prettier than they! :lol: But who can blame them? I got 45 minutes of make-up every night. Yep. That's what it took.

Get out the trowel!

[antonyh]

Drag can be fun!

Here are two pics from a production (Wonderful Town) where I was talked into doing drag by the director. My first and only time actually. And in front of any audience of 2700 people for two weeks straight....oh....did I say that?


Thank you for sharing the pictures and the history. Fun Fun Fun :)

I must add that you look faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaabulous with Marilyn's blond hair ;)

[nmwolfboy]

"Does anyone still wear a hat?"

IIIIIIIIaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh'lllll drink to that!

And one for Mahler!

Great pics, Daniel. Quite the frock. :D

scott

[andrewlittle]

Darling Daniel, you look marrrrrvelous.

I cannot believe it took 45 minutes for make-up, though. I bet you have good skin to begin with. You look as stately and statuesque as a friend of mine in Ohio, who is 6'4" without the heels. He on occasion preferred more risque outfits, though.

I just hope it was an absolute blast. You do look like you enjoyed it.

[akbdc99]

Gurhl...when I do drag for a fundraiser every year it takes a couple of hours we usually start about 4ish so I can hit cocktial hour between 6 and 6:30ish!! You look fab!!

[Vanessa White]

Daniel: Thank you so much for sharing the photos!! Do you look absolutely beautiful. What a woman you make!! Thanks honey!! Vanessa :love:

[ladyinred]

Finally Daniel I've met the woman of my dreams. Will you marry me?Please,please, please.;) ;)

[bryanf]

*sigh*

I wish I could of been up there. The thing is that I have had two men in my life to really mentor me and become a father figure of sorts to me. One of them is a professor at Patrick Henry College. He is a dear friend. We don't talk as much as we use too. We use to spend hours everyday together while I was in college working for him. I am still trying to figure out how to broach my sexuality to him. Mostly I already know what hsi reaction will be. Most likely he will still love me as a friend but be very disappointed and sad in me. But he will know by summer's end.

I so wish I could of arranged to be there with the Soulforce Equality Riders. I really do.

-------------------
And in defense of Patrick Henry College and Regent University, they actually do have a very good program when it comes to all things relating to law and political science. Just because individuals go there does not mean they are getting a subpar education. Actually from what I have seen, individuals from both school often tend to be superior than many of those that emerge from the Ivy League in the capability to do their job. So I want to dispell the falacy right now that some have made on this thread that going to a Christian school provides a subpar education experience. You can believe that if you want, but if you do then all I have to say is that you need to go deal with your prejudices.