Walking On To Liberty

I woke up this morning very reflective. It had been a week since the other riders and I got to Baltimore. Our last bit of training under our belts and ready to have the dialog we have been wanting for so long.

I will remember what Peterson Toscano said to us about people not remembering what we said, but how we made them feel. Peterson talked to us about the ex-gay movement and his experiences in it. It really struck a cord with me on just one of the many experiences we will encounter on campus.

I will remember what Phil Lawson said about speaking with nothing but love in out hearts, even when we feel that that love is not being returned. I will remember what it means to full grace, compassion and faith like only Phil can describe.

I will remember what my fellow Riders have said at different points that really have made me realize how important it is to be on this journey. While for many this a journey for our selves, its also about each other and the LGBT students on campus we are there for.

I will remember what one Mississippi College student said about what is means to the LGBT students on campus when we get arrested. I will remember that every time I get arrested that the message I am sending the student who in the closet is one of hope, faith and love. That I love them so much that I would go that far for them.

This week as has been tough. Emotions have run the course of high highs and low lows, but in the end. Its all worth it and I would not change it for anything.

Today was the day we saw our bus for the first time. “I am really doing this.” I thought. The bus looks amazing, and I hope to post a picture soon. We hit the road early, our hearts firm yet loving and our minds really taking it in what it means to be on this journey. We are heading to Liberty today. We have been told that they will allow 5 of us on campus. We also know what they are telling the media. That we are not coming and if we do we are not allowed on campus. It really made me wonder what will happen.

As I rolled on to campus with the other riders I felt a an overwhelming sense of peace and calm wash over me and a voice saying “Your doing the right thing.” That gave me a lot of comfort. After filling off the bus and standing vigil with the rest of the riders Katie, Danielle, Nicholas, Cait and myslef gathered the books that we were going to donate to Liberty. We had a police escort to the spot where Liberty begins. After that we were on our own. We walked on to campus. No police. We entered the Liberty library. No police. We walked to the courtyard to have dialog with students. No police.

We walked on to campus had amazing dialog with students. Students who really wanted to talk us. To be there and to be a part of that experience was an amazing thing. To command the attention of 50 or more of peers, just by your mere presence is a powerful thing.

We then went to an affirming church in the Lynchburg area. They were so welcoming and wanted to know us, our stories, and who we were. We then had amazing time of fellowship with the church as well as Liberty students.

What it boils down to is this, my journey with these amazing people has just begun. There will be many times where things will be hard. We will rely on each other as much as we rely on our home base for support. I feel for the first time in a long time that this is where I am supposed to be and I could not be any happier.

From The Road

Zak Rittenhouse
zak@equalityride.com