| The Soulforce Equality Ride is a two month social justice bus tour that confronts political and spiritual oppression of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) people. The ride began in 2006 and has visited hundreds of cities, colleges, universities, and other institutions. The 2012 ride will be the fifth tour. This year a large emphasis is being placed on intersectional justice (or the desire to practice social justice in a way that ends all oppression against all people) and community involvement. The participants of the Equality Ride are provided top notch training, transportation, housing, and food throughout the tour. Support from Hit the Road campaign virtual rider pages like this one helps to make the Soulforce Equality Ride possible. Visit www.equalityride.com to learn more or set up your own virtual rider page! Apply to Hit The Road here! |
Missy & Ellie’s Fundraising Total
$525
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Missy & Ellie Ash-Bala
Claremont, CA
We met early in 2010, quickly fell in love and were happily married in June of 2011. Missy teaches middle school and Ellie works with college students. Together we have 6 nieces and nephews that we love VERY much and we’re blessed to have loving, supportive families. We know that not everyone in the LGBTQ community has the love and acceptance of their families, so we are grateful everyday for our families and close friends. Both of us love working with and teaching youth and young adults. We see every day that there is a message of love and acceptance that needs to be heard by ALL LGBTQ young people. We are proud supporters of the work of Soulforce.
In their own words
Ellie first learned about Soulforce while working at one of the universities that was visited by the first Equality Ride in 2006. She was deeply impacted by the testimonies of the young people on that ride and the message that they presented: Gay or straight, God loves you unconditionally, without reservation. Hearing that message was a key influence in her journey toward embracing the full equality of LGBTQ people and, in the end, facilitated her own self-acceptance and coming out process.
Both of us are committed to helping LGBTQ youth live in a safer, more accepting world and we realize that religious based discrimination is the largest hindrance to that process. The mission and message of the Equality Ride is desperately needed in the conservative religious community and we both wholeheartedly support it.
There are students on campuses all over this nation that need to hear the message that they are not broken, that they are not a mistake and that they are deeply loved and fully accepted by the God who created them. There are campuses all over this nation that need to be told their oppressive policies must end and that there is a movement of justice that they can be a part of. Since we both have jobs that do not afford us the time to literally “hit the road” with the Equality Ride, we are proud to virtually “hit the road” with Soulforce!
Support Missy & Ellie by donating to Hit The Road and Equality Ride »
| Name | Location | Amount | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Susan Neil | San Anselmo, CA | $100 | |
| George Moffat | California | $25 | Because Missy and Ellie are two wonderful ladies! |
| Ryan and Colleen Howell | California | $100 | We love you Missy & Ellie! |
| Ellie Ash-Bala | California | $200 | On behalf of Equality Ride |
