How did you hear about SoulForce?

[Mia14]

Simple question: how did you find this webpage?

----------------------------------------------------------------

I must give credit where credit is due - Vanessa White told me about the Equality Riders and this wonderful website.

[Rick336]

Since March I had been reading articles about the SoulForce Equality Riders tour across America in gay news reports on the internet. So I did a search and found the web site. Once I read what the organization was all about, I joined.

I am a member of the Human Rights Campaign, The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and GLAAD, but those organizations do not offer the opportunity to take part in activities or to interact with other members.

SoulForce does. It offers it's members a way to be involved in the action,
(ex: the march and vigil at Colorado Springs in July), to talk with other members, and to voice my opinion on certain issues ( ex: the members forum ).

I believe that as SoulForce becomes even more visible in the gay and straight press through it's pro-equality activities, the membership will grow into one of the nations largest and most successful GLBT organizations.

There are tens of thousands of GBLT people out there who are becoming increasingly frustrated with the hate talk coming from the "Christian" right. They want to do something more than just making a financial contribution to a national organization. They want to talk about it. They want to become active. They want to be a part of the solution.

SoulForce fills that need.

Rick

[Jennifer5]

My uncle was worked with what I think was the UCC conferense and he had set it up to have Mel White come out to several churches in our area. Some how he managed to get him to our church even though we didn't have nearly enough money. Anyway, I had never heard of Mel White in my life, but my uncle said this is something I will enjoy. So I went. At first we went there and for the longest time I still wasn't clear why i was suposed to be there... but several new people showed up and they were all nice, so I didn't really care... I just like being around people. Pretty soon this guy that I had never seen before sat down beside my sister and I... and he just started talking to us, it wasn't until after that I found out that it was Gary Nixon. Anyway after listening to Mel talk for about 2 hours I went away and didn't think to much of it. But over the weeks all I could think of was going to Colorado Springs for the Dr. Dobson protest. I was hooked on Soulforce ever since, I want so much to spend all my time with all the people here.

[closetcougar]

WE got an email warning from the academic VP and she told us that this group soulforce was coming to campus and we should be nice to them, but shouldn't feel obligated to talk to them.

So I googled soulforce and clicked on the link to this page.

Great people and great posts have kept me coming back. Thanks to all for taking the time to post.

[sbonser04]

from you mia........haha

[Jennifer5]

I'm surprised how many of you seem to know each other... word of mouth really is the best way!

[Venari]

I've known about SF for a number of years. But after meeting some of the local supporters I decided to not be involved. That is until the Equality Ride was going to visit NCU and I decided to post here.

-Venari

[ExgayBiz]

When A C U allowed you to visit. I was saddened by this.

Originally Posted by Mia14

Simple question: how did you find this webpage?

----------------------------------------------------------------

I must give credit where credit is due - Vanessa White told me about the Equality Riders and this wonderful website.

[Zerbie]

I was signed up for email alerts which is how I found out about the forums the day they were created. Yay.

Originally found Soulforce because I was frustrated witht he national gay rights groups and their approach to things, and looking for a more effective group - googled all OVER the place until I saw mention of Soulforce, so was checking out the site periodically for about 6 months before they created the forums.

Question for Venari: What was it about the local supporters that turned you off to Soulforce? That's an important issue and we need to learn from it.

[awediot]

I have heard it referenced on and off in a variety of places, and popping up in a search finally lead me here. The nonviolent core, direct activity and diverse viewpoints were intriguing and welcoming, but the want to butt in and offer my two cents in a particular post got me to join. Been delighted, confounded and encouraged ever since.

[Vanessa White]

I was doing some research on line about supportive religious resources for youth who are coming out, or struggling with their sexual orientation. What lured me into Soulforce and got me so I can hardly go a day without it, was two things: the basis of Ghandi and MLK, who I greatly admire; and the forums. I never so much as entered a chat room before here, you are all my FIRST. I feel among friends here, and comforted and supported more than I have been in years. THanks for that. Vanessa

[Montanna]

My pastor first told me about the Soulforce website. I was getting the alerts. I just tried out the link on the last alert I recieved and here you were. What a great site. I've been visiting every day. I've never done too much of this online chatting, but I sure enjoy this site. I'm getting to know other christian GLBT folks in my area, getting study groups together in my church, and generally wanting to move the educational level of my community toward acceptance of us. It looks like this is a good place to get ideas and support. Thanks for being here.

Montanna

[Lydia]

My mom sent me a link to it.

I have no idea how or when she found it.

[tdogg]

Wow! All different avenues to SF. A friend of my partner heard from her my struggles with coming out to some of my family. She loaned me Mel's book and from there I surfed the web, checked out the website, joined and the rest is history. It's so awesome to find such a wonderful array of fellow people who have such varied histories, stories, individual characteristics, spiritual beliefs, and life experiences that they are willing to share. This is such an uplifting encouraging group for me, I'm learning a lot, exploring myself through all of you.

What a great place for someone to find! Thanks to Mel, Gary and all the Soulforce staff and friends who make this a safe, interesting and fun place to hang out. And thanks to Jamie who is our sentry and keeps us 'safe'!

[pnggrad79]

I found out about it after reading Mel White's book Stranger At the Gate.This book was extremely helpful to me coming out. I highly recommend it to anyone struggling with their homosexuality and their faith being on the same page, not on opposite end of the book.

[schoolboi]

I also read Mel's book, but that was before Soulforce really existed. Several years later Mel spoke at a meeting in Oklahoma City sponsored by Soulforce in Oklahoma. I got involved in the local group and the rest is history.

[Lydia]

Originally Posted by tdogg

And thanks to Jamie who is our sentry and keeps us 'safe'!

Yes, he does a great job. I think he could use a spear though. And maybe one of those iron helmets as well.

[morningrob]

I do not remember where I first heard about soul force- I think it was in seminary though

[Daniel]

News about the ERide on www.365gay.com One thing lead to another- as they say- and here I am.

Note: I've corrected the address above. I reversed the numbers with the name originally- oops! Sorry for the confusion- thanks to Mia for pointing this out!

[kimmyd]

From Laura Montgomery Rutt, my Soul Sister.