Online networking for alumni

[sarah86]

Hello,

I'm hoping that someone out there can help me with an idea I've been musing on for a little while. I'm an alum of a very conservative evangelical Christian college and was very much in the closet when I was a student. Now that I've graduated and am out, I very much want to be a resource for those at my alma mater who may not have anywhere to turn to, and I'm sure that there are others out there who feel the same way.

I'm not sure if anything like this exists, but it seems to me that some kind of networking site that allows lgbt alumni from Christian colleges to find each other, make connections, and talk about what steps can be taken to help current students would be an invaluable tool for what Soulforce is trying to accomplish. I also know that it would be important to figure out how to ensure confidentiality with such a network and since I know nothing about internet privacy I'm not sure how to go about that.

If there is anyone out there who has had similar thoughts, could connect me to someone who is already doing this, or can help me in any way, please let me know!

Sarah

[BrianB]

There is an organization called Heartstrong. http://www.heartstrong.org/ They reach out to glbt students and alumni from religious schools.

[sarah86]

That is EXACTLY what I was looking for, thank you!!!

[BruceChris]

I just tried accessing http://www.heartstrong.org/. The site doesn't seem to have been visited since Jan. 2007, and the sign in page doesn't seem to work.

I sent an email of inquiry.

I also Googled "gay and Christian", "Christian and gay", "gayChristian", and "Christiangay". I didn't find Soulforce on the first page of Any of these attempts. Perhaps the SoulForce people could try to find us a more visible listing on Google.

I got here by following a link from Beliefnet, and I have no idea how anyone else found us.

"Do not hide your light under a bushel"

Bruce Chris

[Rick336]

I just tried accessing http://www.heartstrong.org/. The site doesn't seem to have been visited since Jan. 2007, and the sign in page doesn't seem to work.

I sent an email of inquiry.

I also Googled "gay and Christian", "Christian and gay", "gayChristian", and "Christiangay". I didn't find Soulforce on the first page of Any of these attempts. Perhaps the SoulForce people could try to find us a more visible listing on Google.

I got here by following a link from Beliefnet, and I have no idea how anyone else found us.

"Do not hide your light under a bushel"

Bruce Chris


I went to google and typed in "christian gays lesbians transgender bisexual" and Soulforce came up on the first page.

But I doubt that many people would type all that in.

Rick

[BruceChris]

I strongly suspect that Heartstrong is inactive. Please read my post at

http://www.soulforce.org/forums/showthread.php?p=67402#post67402

I would appreciate your opinion very much.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[BrianB]

It does seem that Heartstrong is not very active. A ministry like their's is sorely needed. The equality ride can only do so much. There needs to be an ongoing presence for glbt students at christian schools. I'm not sure how you would do it without getting a lot of resistance.

[coavonia73]

What a load of crap. If it werent for the internet I wouldnt have had sex or met any hotties for many, many years. Lol

[Elodlek09]

i dont really care, cuz i have windows, but it might be good for other people that have linux...

[keltic63]

I strongly suspect that Heartstrong is inactive. Please read my post at

http://www.soulforce.org/forums/showthread.php?p=67402#post67402

I would appreciate your opinion very much.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

It does seem that Heartstrong is not very active. A ministry like their's is sorely needed. The equality ride can only do so much. There needs to be an ongoing presence for glbt students at christian schools. I'm not sure how you would do it without getting a lot of resistance.


I decided to check up on this as I support heartstrong on a monthly basis, as I do soulforce. They are indeed active, but as an organization, they are smaller than soulforce (or that is my impression). I believe that Marc and his husband are the only staff, they depend strongly on volunteers. I see that Marc has been on a speaking tour for his organization as recently as Nov 8 2009.

[BrianB]

I'm glad to know that Heartstrong is still going, Keltic.