|
Every day, thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people suffer harassment, violence, and discrimination at the hands of those who do not understand them. This oppression usually hides in plain sight, masquerading as rigid doctrine or timeless tradition. Consequently, it often goes unchallenged and unchanged. Guided by principles of nonviolence, we at Soulforce Q approach these controversial issues with a readiness to meet people where they are. It is our belief that open and honest discussion begets understanding and healing, and that philosophy is at the heart of our work.
The Equality Ride is a traveling forum that gives young adults the chance to deconstruct injustice and the rhetoric that sustains it. It allows emerging young leaders to unite in the struggle for common equality. The idea is this. We get on a bus and journey to various institutions of higher learning. Through informal conversation and educational programming we explore concepts of diversity, comparing the effects of inclusive and exclusive viewpoints. More practically, we share and gain insights about how our beliefs influence policy and culture, thereby impacting society. Our goal is to carefully and collectively examine the intersection wherein faith meets gender and sexuality. Such discourse, especially when it affirms the beauty of our differences, plays an essential role in creating a safe learning and living environment for everyone.
Thus far, the Equality Ride has engaged nearly seventy academic communities. Many have shown considerable hospitality in welcoming us, and our legacy at those schools is one of mutual growth and compassionate fellowship. In addition to panels and schoolwide symposiums, we have joined students in cafeterias and coffee shops, participated in Bible studies and worship services, and given presentations in packed classrooms. Unfortunately, not every school chooses to host the Equality Ride. Voluntary redemptive suffering in the form of civil disobedience may become our avenue towards progress if, and only if, a school ignores the urgency and rejects dialogue.
A Movement in itself, the Equality Ride is empowering future generations to put their faith in action and make social justice a reality.
Rider: Colin Daniels
From: Kansas City MO
Age: 21
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Statement:
 I grew up in the Seventh Day Adventist church, and decided to attend an Adventist boarding academy for high school. It came out that I was gay there and my Dean and principal cornered me one day and asked me about my sexual orientation over and over. Finally, I looked them in the eyes and said the hardest words I have ever said in my life: "no, I am not gay." I followed that by asking what would happen to a student who was gay and open about it on campus. I found out that their protocol was similar to that of the campuses that we will be visiting on the Ride. I vowed to myself that night that I would never sit idly by and watch my sisters and brothers who are LGBTQAI suffer in the closet by themselves, that instead I would blast those doors off and bring them a message of love.
I advocate fearless faith, and testing mine and that of others. I constantly tell people, to borrow a line from Hanisch, to "match my lightening with your own light." This is why I joined the Ride--I want to show people that you can be harmoniously gay and Christian, that you need not choose one over the other. I want to empower people to talk about the intersections of oppression, and to plant and cultivate seeds of change. Lastly, I am a person who is physically disabled and I want to empower those who are disabled LGBTQAI people of faith to get involved in these conversations. Oftentimes, our bodies are censored by queer and straight people alike because they feel uncomfortable looking at us. But people need to see and hear us because we are valid members of this community. To be the first disabled person selected in the history of the Ride is such a privilege, and throughout this journey I keep thinking of a quote by Ben Harper: "I am blessed, I am blessed, I am blessed to be a witness."
https://www.soulforce.org/colin_daniels |
