The Soulforce Q Equality Ride launched on October 1, 2008. This year it will focus on the South, journeying to fifteen schools of various denominations, including some faith-based historically black colleges and universities. True to its purpose of going where it is needed, the 2008 Equality Ride will visit both undergraduate schools and graduate level seminaries. Come meet the new Equality Riders and read what they have to say about this exciting project!

More on the Equality Ride   Meet the 2008 Riders   Donate to the Ride

2008 Equality Ride Route   Blogging from the Road   Video from Liberty

Photos: Palm Beach Atlantic | Spelman | Columbia | Liberty

Breaking News! Six Equality Riders will be in jail overnight in Florida. Please keep Jarrett, Danielle, Lauren, Enzi, Nicholas, and Zak in your thoughts.

How would you subtitle love? Alexey Bulokhov reports from Russia's first LGBT film festival in St. Petersburg -- which reached its audience despite last minute closure of venues, intimidation and other obstacles. "This event was a small miracle by and for all involved," claims Alexey. Find out what he's talking about.

Next, Alexey will co-facilitate a week-long seminar on religion, gender and lifestyle in Bologna, Italy for Eastern European and Southern Mediterranean young adult activists.

More on Soulforce's International work

Atticus Circle and Soulforce joined together in September for Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights, a national event that provides straight Americans with opportunities to do justice and motivates new allies to stand up and be counted for equality.

Seven Straight Nights consisted of a coordinated campaign of actions led by straight allies. This year, the actions took place during the week of September 14th through 20th, 2008.

Actions were led by families, individuals, or groups (like congregations or GSAs), and focused on their personal decision to speak out on behalf of LGBT equality. Depending on the city, Action Leaders either offered thanks for their state's positive policy record or issued a call to action on pertinent issues such as hate crimes, employment discrimination, and marriage equality.

More on Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights '08

Soulforce Q is proud to introduce Right to Marry Arizona. After two successful campaigns in New York State, the young adults of Soulforce Q are bringing their signature style of grassroots organizing to the Southwest. Right to Marry Arizona blends the excitement and innovation of a youth-led campaign with intergenerational activities that engage all citizens. There are many ways to get involved as you are able. Check it out inside!

Read more about the Right to Marry Campaign   Reports & Photos

On June 17 - 18, 2008, three Soulforce couples were legally married in California: co-founders Mel White and Gary Nixon, media director Paige Schilt and her partner, Katy Koonce, and Soulforce Executive Director Jeff Lutes and his partner, Gary Stein. The couples ask that in lieu of gifts, please make a donation on their behalf to Soulforce. If you would rather send a wedding card to the happy couples along with your gift, you can mail them to Soulforce, P.O. Box 3195, Lynchburg, VA 24503 and they will be forwarded.

Make a Donation to Soulforce

Paige & Katy Photos   Jeff & Gary Photos   Mel & Gary Photos

The American Family Outing succeeded in getting LGBT and straight-ally families sharing the power of love, commitment, and dedication to Joel Osteen and Lakewood Church in Houston, The Potter's House (Bishop T.D. Jakes – Senior Pastor) in Dallas, Bishop Harry Jackson and Hope Christian Church outside Washington, D.C., Bishop Eddie Long and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church near Atlanta, Bill Hybels and Willow Creek Community Church near Chicago, and Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California.

Reports and Photos
Read more about the American Family Outing

Soulforce continued our history of resisting injustice within the United Methodist Church with a direct action at the 2008 General Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, April 25-27, 2008. Soulforce also celebrated with a 10th Anniversary & Reunion Gala on Friday, April 25, 2008. The upbeat evening provided an opportunity for everyone to celebrate our history before we joined together to begin the more serious and focused work of challenging the injustice within the United Methodist Church.

Read more about the Direct Action at the 2008 UMC
Photos from the reunion and direct action   10th Anniversary Video

Soulforce's latest resource, What The Science Says - And Doesn't Say - About Homosexuality, is now available. Many people are curious about what current, reputable social-science research indicates about lesbian women, gay men, and their families. This 36-page booklet contains research-based answers to ten of the most commonly asked questions, drawing on the findings of over forty years of social-science research. It also highlights specific examples of how religious and political leaders distort the scientific research to support anti-gay campaigns. Order several copies of this affordable resource for family and friends.

Winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Seattle International Film Festival, Dan Karslake's provocative, entertaining documentary, For The Bible Tells Me So, brilliantly reconciles homosexuality and Biblical scripture, and in the process reveals that Church-sanctioned anti-gay bias is based almost solely upon a significant (and often malicious) misinterpretation of the Bible.

Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families -- including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopalian Bishop Gene Robinson -- we discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child. Informed by such respected voices as Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard's Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg, Soulforce's Rev. Dr. Mel White, and Rev. Jimmy Creech, For The Bible Tells Me So offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity.

For those with a broadband internet connection, you can now view the Soulforce videos online. The following videos are available: Dear Dr. Dobson: An Open Video Letter to Focus on the Family, There's a Wideness in God's Mercy, Homosexuality: The Debate is Over. The Verdict is In, and How Can I Be Sure That God Loves Me, Too?

The Soulforce Store has a variety of Soulforce books and videos that you can order. Several of the resources are also available for free download at the Resources page. Our most popular item is Rev. Mel White's, What the Bible Says, And Doesn't Say, About Homosexuality.

Be sure to also check out our Recommended Books, Videos, and Audio Recordings.

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