Equality Riders need YOUR support!

[MCstudent]

I don't know if y'all all got the same email I did yesterday about needing funding for the Ride, but in case you didn't... The Ride nearly had to be canceled due to the economic crisis our country is facing and crucial funders pulling out. SF was able to raise enough yesterday to not have to cancel the Ride, but they're still in need of funds... so... Please, make a donation. They can't do what they're doing without our support... So even if its only $20, every bit helps!

http://www.equalityride.com/donate

[Gennee]

I was informed in an e-mail that the SF team will be going. I made a donation and apparently so did a lot of others people.

Gennee

[Rick336]

I also made a donation. I can think of few things more important to bridging the gap of misunderstanding than meeting face to face with people who have questions about the needs of LGBT Americans.

Thanks Equality Riders!

Rick

[sauu4equality]

I don't know how these things have gone in the past, but I'm actually scared for our ER riders. I read an article from Notre Dame's Student paper about the visit ER had with them a while back. Notre Dame's Administration, at least in appearance, support non-discrimination for GLBT students. So does my alma mater SMU. But I would be afraid to put on this kind of a presentation there. The visit to Notre Dame did not sound like a picnic. I will be praying for the safety of the ER riders. I wish I could support them financially, but I'm barely making it as it is. If they were coming to a school near San Antonio (or even Austin), I would be willing to help out, but the closest to me will be in Dallas. My dad went to DBU. I'm incredibly curious to see how that visit goes. I'm even thinking about visiting home and helping them out up there. I am absolutely shocked that these schools can get away with these policies in today's society. It makes me feel like in many ways we're moving backwards. Having gone to a conservative institution (SMU) in which there were allies and GLBT student groups I assumed this was similar to other conservative institutions. Apparently, SMU isn't all that conservative compared to others. How can you claim to be an Academic environment and not allow freedom of thought? Well, my last thought is that the two institutions in Atlanta, while there may have been some violent acts against GLBT students in the past, are very supportive of GLBT rights at least from an Administrative standpoint. I basically want to applaud Spelman and Morehouse for their brave administration and commitment to freedom of thought and academics. Hopefully, this attitude will make an impact on the students.

And, also, I want to personally thank the brave Equality Riders as they embark on their journey to change hearts and minds. Your efforts our appreciated.

Kyle

[hippie4lyfe]

i hope to make a donation this week

[MCstudent]

I don't know how these things have gone in the past, but I'm actually scared for our ER riders.

Kyle, I think its safe to say you're not alone in worrying about the Riders. I had a phone call with one of them earlier, talking about tomorrow's visit to Liberty. They don't know whats going to happen tomorrow, so we'll see.

They'll be here at my school in 2 and a half weeks, and even thinking about it makes my heart race. I'm excited about them coming, but also extremely nervous about whats going to happen. Last year, they were told they wouldn't be allowed on campus, and 5 ended up being arrested, and had to stay in town for 4 extra days to do community service... It was a bit ridiculous.... Even with the bad though, it brought good... I probably wouldn't have become as vocal against the discrimination as I have, if they hadn't come... LGBT students here wouldn't have had that affirmation.. I'm talking to some other students here who are in support of the Riders too... so.. regardless of what ends up happening as far as civil disobedience goes here at MC, we're backing them 100%. What they're doing is nothing short of incredible.

[kara speltz]

Originally Posted by hippie4lyfe

i hope to make a donation this week

Great to hear, Hippie. While we made it in terms of raising the $30,000 goal we set in order to proceed, we will still will be almost $60,000 short of what we had expected to have at this time, given the $100,000 funding having been lost.

So everyone, please keep up your much needed financial support, as well, of course as your prayers.

Kara