Please forward to young adults, ages 18-28, who might be interested . . . . .
Application Deadline September 20th, 2009
The 2010 Equality Ride is hitting the road this March, and we are currently seeking young adults (18-28) to be riders!
Apply now:
http://www.soulforce.org/equalityride
What is the Equality Ride?
The Equality Ride is a traveling forum that gives young people the chance to deconstruct injustice and the rhetoric that sustains it. It allows emerging young leaders to unite in the struggle for common equality. Everyday thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning people suffer harassment, violence, and discrimination at the hands of those who do not understand them. The idea is this. We get on a bus and journey to various institutions of higher learning, many with explicit discrimination policies. Through informal conversation and educational programming we explore concepts of diversity, comparing the effects of inclusive and exclusive viewpoints. More practically, we share and gain insights about how our beliefs influence policy and culture, thereby impacting society. Guided by the principles of nonviolence, we set out ready to meet people where they are. Our goal is to carefully and collectively examine the intersection wherein faith meets gender and sexuality. Such discourse, especially when it affirms the beauty of our differences, plays an essential role in creating a safe learning and living environment for everyone.
Thus far, the Equality Ride has engaged nearly seventy academic communities. Many have shown considerable hospitality in welcoming us, and our legacy at those schools is one of mutual growth and compassionate fellowship. In addition to panels and school-wide symposiums, we have joined students in cafeterias and coffee shops, participated in Bible studies and worship services, and given presentations in packed classrooms. Unfortunately, not every school chooses to host the Equality Ride. Voluntary redemptive suffering in the form of civil disobedience may become our avenue towards progress if, and only if, a school ignores the urgency and rejects dialogue.
Who is an Equality Rider?
An Equality Rider is a young adult, age 18 to 28, who recognizes that we must work with religious attitudes, challenging negative and discriminatory religious voices, if we are to reach reconciliation. A Rider may live anywhere in the world, come from any ethnic background, claim any gender identity or sexual orientation, and may or may not identify as a person of faith. They understand the value of meeting people where they are and that the process towards peace and liberation begins with a conversation, not hostility. What we look for is a willingness to learn, to engage, and to create.
So far, over 100 young adults have joined together as Equality Riders to challenge the religion based discrimination coming out of religious colleges and universities in the US. Will you join this tradition of nonviolent resistance and get on the 2010 Equality Ride?
When is the 2010 Equality Ride?
The 2010 Equality Ride will be on the road in the months of March and April, 2010, and includes a mandatory weeklong training in preparation for the ride the first week of January, 2010.
If you are ready to board the bus this spring and join the nonviolent struggle to end faith based discrimination of LGBTQ individuals, apply now. The deadline to apply is September 20th, 2009. Follow the link below for more information and an application:
http://www.soulforce.org/equalityride
In solidarity,
The 2010 Equality Ride Team