Mia,
Use your head but listen to your heart. You have to do what feels right for you, not for everyone else in your family. If you take time out for the Equality Ride and soulforce and/or other actions, there's nothing saying you can't go to college in future years. Heck, I did my accounting/auditing stuff in my late 30's and early 40's!! It's never too late for that.
I chose to follow my head and not my heart way back in younger days, and now am left wondering what life would have been had my heart won out. Not that I'm not happy now and have a wonderful fulfilling life, I do! You are young, your life is all ahead of you, and now is the time to follow your heart and see what is right for YOU. The Equality Ride sounds like a great thing to be a part of, so if that's where your heart is leading you, I truly hope to see your name on the roster of Riders!!!!
