Thank You, Soulforce, from Colorado Springs!

[mduplan]

Last night, my partner and I attended the 1000 Watt March in Colorado Springs. All I can say is, "Wow!" Chad Allen and Judy Shepard were incredible, and the event really touched my heart and soul.

I think the Soulforce staff was amazing last night. I don't think I have ever seen so many dedicated people working with such conviction and passion. At one point late at night when Soulforce was showing some incredible movie footage from an event last year, I turned to my partner and told him how guilty I felt because I often hide the fact that I'm gay so I can avoid discrimination. And while I'm hiding, the Soulforce staff and other proud gay people are standing up and telling the world that being gay isn't a sin and isn't wrong. I need to start standing up.

So, to everyone on the Soulforce staff, thank you. Thank you so much for everything you're doing. You touched many, many hearts last night. Please keep spreading the message. Please keep helping us. I just made a donation on your website, and you're in my prayers. God bless you.

[Zerbie]

Hi there Mike, and welcome!

Please dont' feel guilty. We all take on whatever we can handle, and what we can handle changes from moment to moment. Forgive yourself for "hiding," because you did it to protect yourself, and by protecting yourself, you survived and made it all the way here! Congratulations on having made it this far, and on your new commitment to "standing up." I wish you much joy in your newfound freedom and fearlessness. We're here to offer cheers and support you on your journey, now that you have all of us forumites.

I'm happy the event touched you so. Wish I could have been there myself - y'all were in my thoughts yesterday.

Mike, this is a wonderful cyber-place to be, I'm glad you found it.

Once again, welcome.

Z

[sawyer]

Thanks mduplan for some info on how things went last night. I am eagerly awaiting for comments and a full report. I have enjoyed following the pictures of the March this week and thot it was pretty good that I could see pictures of the guys I sponsored, on the March, just hours old!

I am much more bold about standing up and trying to set my relatives and friends straight on the gay issue. I have seen little or no results. One by one I spend hours and hours writing long emails of our position. It's like the truth can't penatrate their preconceived ideas. It usually ends with us just agreeing to disagree. So at first I saw the Equality Ride as a waste of time and energy. Now I see that we deserve to at least make a rebuttal to those who want to put us down.

In my rural area there exists one Baptist church, which my uncle now pastors and both of my parents families were raised there and all of my friends were associated with the Baptist. Now I am thankful like I never was when I was in the church, for my non-baptist and non-religous nieghbors. But it hard around here to come out and stand up, because of my background and family, no one thinks homosexual. I put up a 10 foot rainbow flag on my garage, and people just think its a pretty banner. I have yet to get one voluntered comment. All hell hasn't broke loose. And nobody bothered me for having www.soulforce.org pasted to the back of my truck in 2 inch letters.

I think this forum is the best place I have ever found and am telling my friends about it around the world.

It was interesting to see the godmademegay.com link, that an older Baptist couple could be open-minded to see the scripture for what it actually says. So its not just a generational thing. I think the key to getting people to understand is to get them to talk with us one on one. And that is what the Equality Ride did and the March to Co.Springs. And this forum would be good if the Baptist people could write in here and get to know some of us.

[Mia14]

That god made me gay link was really interesting. The letter to Louise was really well written. I like the ten points he made in the letter. In fact, maybe I'll go make a new little thread about them and see how others like 'em!

[schoolboi]

MD,

I'm glad you enjoyed the event and even more joyous that it had an impact on you. I hope to see you on the forums and at future Soulforce events!

Corey H

[suzer1013]

Wish I could have been there, butsince I can't, it's great to read about it. Thank you for sharing this, MD.

Susan

[Jennifer5]

for best report on saturday's events I think this thread is the best..... 'Saturday's 1000 Watt March and Concert' ..... it was so much fun! Glad you could be there

[Vanessa White]

So glad that you are with us! Sawyer, I just love the idea of the soulforce website on the back of your truck- maybe we should do window clings or bumper stickers or something to get people to check us out. And, for persons to find us that live in rural areas, or already feel totally isolated and alone, that seems to be a real gift from God. I am so glad that he led you both here. These are some of the best people I have ever met, in cyber space anyway. It feels like coming home, and I love it.. Please, come around often!

I am also disappointed to have missed the 1000 watt march, but hope to participate in a Soulforce action in the near future. Peace out, all-