Fallout after the Equality Ride

[NathanATX]

|| News || http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid28310.asp

March 28, 2006

Oklahoma school board scraps gay protections in wake of Equality Ride


Days after the Equality Ride bus toured the state of Oklahoma, with stops at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa and Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, the Oklahoma board of education struck the sexual orientation portion from its antidiscrimination policy. The change happened without notice last Thursday in Oklahoma City in response to a state representative's complaints about the Equality Ride, in which more than 30 young LGBT activists are attempting to meet with students at Christian universities across the country that prohibit the enrollment of gays.

Previously the school board's antidiscrimination policy covered sexual orientation as well as a student's family, social, and cultural background. Now those categories have been struck from the policy, which has reverted back to state and federal antidiscrimination laws protecting a student's race, for instance.

The action came at the request of Oklahoma representative Kevin Calvey, a Republican seeking election to the U.S. Congress. He said in a statement that "the board's new rule will protect public schools from having to allow homosexual rights organizations to hold meetings on school grounds."

Citing the recent Equality Ride protests at the two universities, where several Equality Riders were arrested, Calvey added, "This isn't really at the high school level yet, but I would expect it someday to be."

The head of an Oklahoma gay rights group said that the policy change is a part of wider political positioning by conservatives this election year. "It's just open season on GLBT people at the state legislature," Laura Belmonte, president of Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights, told Tulsaworld.com. "It is our belief that these conservative legislators are using these issues as a wedge issue to try to mobilize their base in an effort to take over the senate this year."

There was no comment from the school board's superintendent. (The Advocate)

[NathanATX]

http://www.okhouse.gov/OkhouseMedia/...spx?NewsID=630

Calvey Praises Reversal of Sexual Orientation Policy
3/23/2006 3:06:00 PM

Contact: State Rep. Kevin Calvey
Capitol: (405) 557-7370
Del City: (405) 808-0041

OKLAHOMA CITY –(March 23, 2006)State Rep. Kevin Calvey praised the Oklahoma State Board of Education today for repealing their sexual orientation policy.

After a request from Calvey, the State Board of Education met today to make a rule change that repeals their current sexual orientation policy by modifying it to be in sync with federal and state law.

"This brings Oklahoma’s educational rules in line with federal and state law and also in line with the values shared by the large majority of Oklahomans," said Calvey, R-Del City.

Currently, federal and state laws require strong anti-discrimination policies in the areas of gender and race but do not address sexual orientation.

Calvey said the board’s new rule will protect public schools from having to allow homosexual-rights organizations to hold meetings on school grounds and will also give school boards more control over personnel decisions.

"The board’s old policy would have opened the door for our schools to become battlegrounds where activists for ‘alternative’ lifestyles would try to undermine the moral teachings of parents," said Calvey. "Now, Oklahomans won’t have to worry about that."

"I would like to thank Deborah and David Williams for bringing this issue to my attention and Mike Jestes and David Dunn of the Oklahoma Family Policy Council for raising public awareness on this issue."

[NathanATX]

State Representative Kevin Calvey

Capitol Address:
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd
Room 437
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 557-7370

District Address:
3909 SE 29th, Ste. 160
Del City, OK 73115
(405) 677-1179


Email:
kevincalvey@okhouse.gov

[NathanATX]

I called him.

[Sharieab]

I had a response, but it just didn't seem to do justice to that. I know a few student athletes at OU that are out. If OU decided to follow the "policies" they would lose a couple of athletes that make that school's teams really good. And that is just coming from the athletic point of view. Its just crazy and makes me so frustrated.

[Venari]

At the risk of getting people more upset. Isn’t this what I said would happen? The message of Soulforce is a important one, but how the Equality Ride is representing it only gives fuel to the opposition. This way they can sway the opinions of the people in the middle who may have been supportive.

As I said before, another way need to be found as this isn’t going to work... and has it worked. How many schools have honestly mage change and given more then just lip service to prevent a protest at their front doors.

I fear where the similar back lash that has began to happed at my school is going to end. From what people are now saying, and begging to support, its looking like the policies we had back in the 80's that make Falwell look like a moderate.

But I guess we'll need to wait and see how its going to play out and if in the end the Equality Riders are going to feel good about how they gave their message to these schools but only caused more "suffering” for the GLBT students currently attending.

Just my two pence,
Venari

[revtj]

Venari,

Your response reminded me of a bumper sticker I have seen that says, "Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History"

Do you think Jesus should've kept quiet, been a nice guy, and stayed out of the Temple on that fateful day when he turned over the moneychangers tables? Maybe he should've written a Martha Stewart-type note to them or something instead?

My 2 pence
revtj

[Venari]

Originally Posted by revtj

Venari,

Your response reminded me of a bumper sticker I have seen that says, "Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History"

Do you think Jesus should've kept quiet, been a nice guy, and stayed out of the Temple on that fateful day when he turned over the moneychangers tables? Maybe he should've written a Martha Stewart-type note to them or something instead?

My 2 pence
revtj

There is a very clear difference between what Jesus did and what the Equality Ride is doing. For one Jesus did not invite the media to "expose" the wrongs of the money changers. Paired with that it is clear that going to the temple Jesus did not plan ahead of time what he was going to do.

Jesus was faced with a situation and reacted accordingly. As should all Christians when faced with injustice we act immediately we do not plot and plan to have the media there to expose how wrong the offender is we take immediate action to correct the offender.

So yes I agree well behaved people rarely make history, because we are the ones in the market place going about our own business without an agenda and when we see an injustice we immediately take action to correct it, often to the dismay of others who want to maintain the peace.

-Venari

[Vanessa White]

The whole idea of LGBT orientation and rights/marriage/visibility etc. would be in the media whether it had been actively invited or not. And, to describe what is happening as part of an agenda I don't really think is fair. I mean, this is our LIVES we are talking about, and the lives of the students that are in these schools, with their souls screaming in pain some of them, because they feel so isolated and alone. yes, they actively chose to attend these colleges knowing what the policies are, yet, maybe they hoped the reality would be different. Maybe they wanted to attend a Christian institution because their Christianity is as important to them as their sexual orientation. THese riders have been willing to be arrested, put out on the fringe of campuses in some places, or not allowed on at all, in order to speak about something that does affect students on each of those campuses. If it is such a certain truth that homosexuality is a sin, then these Universities should not be afraid to let us speak to their students, or to them, for that matter.

We as gay persons end up being depicted as nothing more than people with an agenda, a political or publicity ploy. We are human beings, who want to love as close to Christ as we can. We want to reach out to others that are probably in pain, and raise AWARENESS by providing INFORMATION. One of the main reasons for discrimination and hostility, and sometimes hatred, toward LGBT persons is ignorance to the accurate information.

[NathanATX]

Originally Posted by Venari

There is a very clear difference between what Jesus did and what the Equality Ride is doing. For one Jesus did not invite the media to "expose" the wrongs of the money changers. Paired with that it is clear that going to the temple Jesus did not plan ahead of time what he was going to do.

Jesus was faced with a situation and reacted accordingly. As should all Christians when faced with injustice we act immediately we do not plot and plan to have the media there to expose how wrong the offender is we take immediate action to correct the offender.

So yes I agree well behaved people rarely make history, because we are the ones in the market place going about our own business without an agenda and when we see an injustice we immediately take action to correct it, often to the dismay of others who want to maintain the peace.

-Venari

Don't you think Jesus, and most people, probably had a good idea what went on at the temple? Not to mention that Jesus being the Son of God probably gave him access to inside information.

I think the whole point of the Equality Ride is that these injustices have been going on for years... and "well behaved people" haven't done anything about them.

I think as Christians we should value justice & mercy over allowing people to remain in their comfort zones.

[revtj]

I think the whole point of the Equality Ride is that these injustices have been going on for years... and "well behaved people" haven't done anything about them.

Thanks, Nathan, this was my point exactly!

Eventually people get tired of being subservient, of listening to rhetoric in the statehouses, in the nation's capitol, and in houses of worship and religious schools which says essentially : you are less than we are. You don't deserve human rights. Your dignity is at our disposal. Your right to be is at our whim.

They get sick and tired of it and they stand up (or bike up) and do something about it. The equality ride is a nonviolent protest. How much better could we respond to the violence constantly done against LGBT people? I think it is an admirable event that we (str8 & gay America) will look back on as necessary and beautiful.

How is it not like Jesus? He was a Jew in a land conquered by Rome. He was not allowed to be a citizen. The religious authorities had sold out to Rome in order to preserve the temple at Jerusalem, and in the process, had become corrupt and sanctimonious. It looks so much like what homophobia is doing to the church & christian education in 2006 it's amazing!

[schoolboi]

Originally Posted by Venari

There is a very clear difference between what Jesus did and what the Equality Ride is doing. For one Jesus did not invite the media to "expose" the wrongs of the money changers. Paired with that it is clear that going to the temple Jesus did not plan ahead of time what he was going to do.

Jesus was faced with a situation and reacted accordingly. As should all Christians when faced with injustice we act immediately we do not plot and plan to have the media there to expose how wrong the offender is we take immediate action to correct the offender.

Interesting note, if Jesus did not want people to know about what he was doing, then why did the whole town know as soon as it happened? Also why are we still talking about it some 2000 years later?!

Do you really think Jesus did not plan ahead for what he was going to do in the temple that day? He had been to the temple many times through out his life. He had seen the same scene over and over again. I am sure he had thought about different responses to the situation many times. I’m sure that he felt that the time was right to do what he had already considered in order to make the biggest statement. Jesus had taught in the temple on numerous occasions. Although we have not biblical record of him discussing the situation of the moneychangers I would bet that it had come up before in dialogue and confrontation with the religious leaders.

Another thing I’m sure he knew was that this one act would not change the situation. He also knew that the religious leaders in the temple would not like it, that he might be arrested, and or at least removed from the grounds. He felt the message he had was important enough to risk that.

Was Jesus trying to change the minds of the religious leaders in the temple when he took this action? I don’t really think so. Maybe he hoped that in the long run they ideas would change. He was taking a symbolic action to elevate the awareness of the people to this incorrect use of God’s house and of the injustice being waged on the poor who had to deal with these sales people. He was trying to get under the skin of the religious leaders and put pressure on them to change.

This instance is a perfect example of nonviolent resistance as thought by Gandhi and King. They both claim to have got their ideas from the actions and teachings of Jesus. I think it is a good example of what we are doing with the Equality Ride. We are taking action that to many or even most people may seem rash. We are willing take the risk of reticule and even negative response (like being blamed for the Oklahoma law) from our adversary. We know that these religious institutions will not change just because of this one action, but we do know that: 1) We will be changed and renewed. 2) Our closeted brothers and sisters will know they are not alone. 3) The general public will be made aware of the injustice. 4) The Church will be aware of the injustice. 5) The institutions will be aware of the injustice.

That being said I would like to make a short comment regarding the political climate in Oklahoma. I am a native Oklahoman. When I lived there I was a committee member the Democratic Party on the state level and spent many hours as a volunteer. Politics in Oklahoma are EXTREMELY red. (I mean come on they elected Tom Coburn for a Senator!) Even most Democrats in the state would put Falwell to shame. Oklahoma already has some of the harshest anti-gay laws in the country. I would have been very amazed if the discrimination policy would have passed. A am also curtain that if it would have passed it would only have been a matter of time before it was changed again to the current policy.

[NathanATX]

I'm an Okie too.

Ditto, Schoolboi.

[vaguy78]

There is a very clear difference between what Jesus did and what the Equality Ride is doing. For one Jesus did not invite the media to "expose" the wrongs of the money changers. Paired with that it is clear that going to the temple Jesus did not plan ahead of time what he was going to do.

Jesus was faced with a situation and reacted accordingly. As should all Christians when faced with injustice we act immediately we do not plot and plan to have the media there to expose how wrong the offender is we take immediate action to correct the offender

I agree, that there is a difference, but the difference is not in the response, but in the circumstances. The reality is that Jesus was in the heat of the situation and i'm sure already purposed in his heart how he would deal with injustice in general. I'm sure he did not just react to the situation but was very proactive in his response, and the difference with equality ride is that it's not like this type of discrimination in just immediate but it is something that is ongoing and just as you need to fight injustice in the moment, you need to prepare and protect against ongoing and future injustice, which is why we have laws. They are not just for the now but for the future as well.
Jesus responded to immediate circumstances and also prepared himself and his disciples for future circumstances.


I think we (in the general sense) are starting to believe that the word "agenda" is dirty. There is nothing wrong with having an agenda and or purpose. We all have them, whether we want to be in denial about that or not. We all have purpose and intentions, even if it is to pretend that we don't. I'm not sure what the motives are for the media being involved but the media is a tool that should be used so the world can see and understand the reality of what is actually going on in the area of injustice. As a nation, we have become so individualistic that we forget that we are to be held accountable as a nation and as indivisual to each other for our actions, whether good or bad. That is a basic social law.

Mass media in Jesus' day was mainly word of mouth and as we know, his reputation and mission got around and fast. As we go thoughout history we see the means of communication being used to fight against oppression from word of mouth in the bible, to the printing press that Luther and other reformers used during the reformation, to the news and other forms of media used during the civil rights movement. Media is simply a means to communicate to the masses in an effecient way.

[Venari]

Originally Posted by schoolboi

Interesting note, if Jesus did not want people to know about what he was doing, then why did the whole town know as soon as it happened? Also why are we still talking about it some 2000 years later?!

Do you really think Jesus did not plan ahead for what he was going to do in the temple that day? He had been to the temple many times through out his life. He had seen the same scene over and over again. I am sure he had thought about different responses to the situation many times. I’m sure that he felt that the time was right to do what he had already considered in order to make the biggest statement. Jesus had taught in the temple on numerous occasions. Although we have not biblical record of him discussing the situation of the moneychangers I would bet that it had come up before in dialogue and confrontation with the religious leaders.

Another thing I’m sure he knew was that this one act would not change the situation. He also knew that the religious leaders in the temple would not like it, that he might be arrested, and or at least removed from the grounds. He felt the message he had was important enough to risk that.

Schoolboi,

You say you’re a youth pastor so I am assuming you are familiar with the terms "isogesis" and "exegesis." One is where we impose our thoughts and ideas onto the biblical texts and the other is where we look for what the text has to say in its context... these are the key components of Hermeneutics.

I hate to say it but you are placing your ideas into the passages. First, there is nothing to give and credence to anyone besides the disciples being with Jesus. Also the temple was the center of the community, in my city Thursday is the farmers market day which is held right in the plaza down town. Now if I were to go there and approach one of the commercial vendors trying to sell produce they couldn’t move on their shelves and over turned their tables about 100,000+ people would know about the commotion pretty quickly. So you point is rather moot that based on the nature of the society with the Temple being the center any disturbance there would be quickly known through the city,

Yes we know the Jesus had been to the Temple several time during his life. And the money changers were there probably there... as history shows they have always been there. But you missed one KEY statement Jesus makes. He quotes Jeremiah 7, namely verse 11. This section deals with extortion of the poor in worship practices. So what Jesus is confronted with is not the same thing He has seen His entire life but they were corrupting Gods house with their unethical practices and "cheapening" the worship of God in His own house.

So no the actions of the Equality Ride have no basis for compairson to what Jesus did in the Temple. Jesus did not go there planning on taking this action He took this action when He saw what was going on.

Originally Posted by schoolboi

This instance is a perfect example of nonviolent resistance as thought by Gandhi and King. They both claim to have got their ideas from the actions and teachings of Jesus. I think it is a good example of what we are doing with the Equality Ride. We are taking action that to many or even most people may seem rash. We are willing take the risk of reticule and even negative response (like being blamed for the Oklahoma law) from our adversary. We know that these religious institutions will not change just because of this one action, but we do know that: 1) We will be changed and renewed. 2) Our closeted brothers and sisters will know they are not alone. 3) The general public will be made aware of the injustice. 4) The Church will be aware of the injustice. 5) The institutions will be aware of the injustice.

Your statement here only furthers the point. The actions the Equality Ride are taking only mimic the actions of Jesus but lack the depth of His actions. I say agenda as you to not take immediate action but wait and "plot" how to best create a shocking situation to use to your advantage.

So, until I see Jacob or Herrin, or any of the other riders, get arrested during their everyday lives while going to the market or eating with friends to correct an injustice they see right then their actions now are only going to be hollow imitations of a deep and meaningful stance Jesus took.

-Venari

[Venari]

Originally Posted by Vanessa White

The whole idea of LGBT orientation and rights/marriage/visibility etc. would be in the media whether it had been actively invited or not. And, to describe what is happening as part of an agenda I don't really think is fair. I mean, this is our LIVES we are talking about, and the lives of the students that are in these schools, with their souls screaming in pain some of them, because they feel so isolated and alone.

Vanessa,

I apologize if I offended you. I did not intend to portray GLBT rights as an 'agenda.' I would never say that an organization like the HRC has an agenda. What I was saying may be more offensive to this audience that the Equality Ride seems to have an agenda as from my stance as a gay person who has the perspective of one of the schools being visited the Equality Ride represents only what they wish to show as a truth, not the things which are true but may counter something they wish to say.

Vanessa, I want to ask about how you say people are suffering. Have you talked to any current students at these schools, or you going off what you have heard from the Equality Ride? If then later is the case I know many GLB students who are strongly opposed to Equality Ride because they do not represent our voices they only speak with their voice and say it is ours.

-Venari

[Vanessa White]

Your point is well taken, regarding the students that I refer to as being in emotional pain at these institutions. No, I have not spoken to any of these students. I have read some of the letters that they have written as LGBT students at these institutions, unsigned and expressing depression, self-doubt, confusion, alienation, etc. I in no way try to speak for all of the LGBT students at all of these and other Christian institutions. However, I know, first hand and by statements made by gay youths around this country, that the process is quite a painful one, and is intensified by the fact that many of the resources that these youths rely on for support about other issues are resources that, at times, have a very negative view about being gay. Isolation is a very real situation for many gay persons, although it is not my experience now, it was in the past as a youth, at a Catholic college in my late teens, and even beyond college. I believe that you do know students who report that they do not have feelings such as these, may feel quite comfortable in how the school they are at handles the issue of homosexuality. You may not know about the others for good reason, they are isolating themselves out of the fear of rejection.

Also, I guess we will just have to agree to disagree as far as the ways and means in which Equality RIders are bringing their message to the schools, as to whether there is an agenda in it or not. I really create a negative picture in my mind with the word "agenda", because the times it has been directed at me in terms of the general gay community, it has been in a very negative connotation. If your intent is to mean for the use of the word to have that type of negative connotation, I am either looking at the Equality Ride in a very rose-colored way, or it really is a matter of a group of individuals believing in something fiercely enough, to move against obstacles as peacefully as possible, as publicly as possible because we have had to be quiet and ashamed for too long, and to maybe save some lives of youths that are in pain, and need to know that they are okay in the eyes of God. It doesn't mean you will take that on as your belief, but I support them as a representation of part of the LGBT community at large and its allies, and I do not feel uncomfortable in stating that.
I consider myself to be a religious person, I love God and Jesus, and I try to do the best for others that I can in any given day. I don't know the Bible well, and sometimes feel quite self-conscious about that here. But, what I do know and believe, in my whole heart and soul, is that God loves me for who I am, that I have been created to be a gay person in my lifetime, that I can embrace that fully and be the human being that I am meant to be. I think that is why I support Soulforce so much. Even though groups of us will always disagree on what the Bible actually says and means, I can still live a Christian life and be a good Christian, and not because I am trying to define Jesus in a way to meets my self-centered needs, but because that is who he is- loving, embracing, and accepting of me.

[revtj]

I just want to say that when I was a student at a Christian College (Covenant), I didn't exactly know I was being treated with extreme bias.

What I thought was that the Bible gave me only one choice: be heterosexual or burn in hell.

What I thought was that I could either be a christian, or be gay, but there was no possible way to be both. For 12 years after graduation I did not consider myself christian.

What I thought was that God had goofed up somehow with me, arbitrarily afflicting me with a curse that made me irredeemable.

When I sought counsel regarding these beliefs I had been taught, they were re-inforced with Bible verses and the historic faith.

So, it may be that gay students at christian colleges & universities are in a private hell, tortured by these either/or choices...but they may not consider themselves discriminated against or suffering.

When I look back on those days at Covenant, there are many happy memories. But I was being discriminated against, I was hated and friends and fellow students were being taught to be disgusted over me and people like me, and I was suffering more than I knew. It took years to work through it. It took 15 years before I would partake of communion again.

That is why I support the Equality Rides. I think the cognitive dissonance they are causing is FANTASTIC. I'm glad some of the postings by students are irritated. Good! It's about time.

[Vanessa White]

Thanks for your perspective and personal story. I appreciate it and am glad for you and for us here that you were able to emerge on the other side of love and light. What a journey. I also lived with out church and God, I believe, for many years, because I of the "heterosexuality or hell" view as well, and then ended up changing religions so at least I felt embraced, not pitied or tolerated. I embrace God more fully than ever and have a strength his relationship with me that I could not have previously imagined.

[revtj]

I embrace God more fully than ever and have a strength his relationship with me that I could not have previously imagined.

Amen, Vanessa! My spiritual life is/has been incredibly enhanced by being gay. Now I see it as a blessing, as something that sprurred deeper growth and a refusal to accept shallow, cookie-cutter answers.

What if we are the blessed ones in the church who have a gift to give that they don't want because we're the untouchables of our era? I often think this is true...don't you?

On another thread several people pointed out how gay & transgender people had priestly & other sacred tribal functions in indigenous cultures. I think that is WHO WE ARE now and it is thrilling to claim it!