Ten Equality Riders Arrested at Bethany Lutheran College

(Mankato, Minnesota) April 26, 2007 -- Fifty-two Equality Riders, representing diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and faith backgrounds, were met by campus security and Mankato police when they walked onto Bethany Lutheran College campus seeking dialogue with students, faculty, and administrators to address the school's anti-gay policy. Over twenty supportive community members, including students from Minnesota State University, Mankato, joined the Riders in this peaceful action. Crowds of students gathered to watch as ten Equality Riders were arrested, while the remaining Riders, community members, and MSU students lined the curb and quietly sang a benediction: "Go now in peace; may the love of God surround you everywhere you go."

Prior to arrest, the Equality Riders spent two-and-a-half hours in silent vigil outside the campus gates. Bethany Lutheran students stopped by to shake hands, thank the Riders for being there, and ask questions. "I support what you are doing 100%," said one Bethany Lutheran senior. An MSU student reiterated that support and added that, coming from a school that welcomed him as a gay man, he felt that it was especially important to stand in solidarity with those who were not welcomed in the same way.

Following the arrest, as many as fifty Bethany Lutheran students joined the Riders for conversations lasting up to two hours.

The Equality Ride visit to Bethany Lutheran College marks the end of a two-month journey across the United States. The eastbound and westbound buses came together for the first and only time to pose the question to Bethany Lutheran: "Will you choose hospitality or rejection?" Riders held photographs from schools that they had visited across the United States, depicting welcoming receptions in which Riders and students worked toward reconciliation, and unwelcoming receptions, many of them ending in arrest.

Despite months spent reaching out to Bethany Lutheran College and the evident interest of students, campus administrators chose the path of rejection in an effort to silence the conversation about faith and identity. The necessity of this conversation was apparent as Bethany Lutheran students flocked to the outskirts of campus to meet with Equality Riders, and later joined Riders and community members for presentations and dialogue at MSU and First Congregational Church UCC, where pastors representing five different denominations voiced their support for the 2007 Soulforce Equality Ride.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Soulforce Q is the young adult division of Soulforce, a social justice organization that works to end political and religious oppression of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. For

Soulforce Pics and Rainbow Radio show

The pictures I took at the Bob Jones University Soulforce Equality Ride visit are now posted here.

In addition, Rainbow Radio, the show I co-host here in South Carolina, has put together a show using much of my tape that didn't make it on the podcast. So, check it out here along with all the other shows we've done !

For the latest updates on the Equality Ride, visit Soulforce.

New Whosoever Podcast Featuring Soulforce

Whosoever's newest podcast features the Soulforce Equality Ride stop at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, along with an essay by myself entitled, "I Don't Understand Fundamentalists."

Please go to this page to listen and to subscribe to our podcasts:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/WhosoeverPodcasts

Go to equalityride.com to support the Soulforce Equality Riders

Protestors Greet Equality Riders at Bob Jones University

I went to the Soulforce Equality Ride stop in Greenville, SC today at Bob Jones University. It was quite an experience and I'll have photos and a podcast up soon so everyone can experience what the day was like.

The street preaching protesters were very loud and rude. They said they loved us, but I don't believe people who shout at me that they love me, sorry. It reminds me of the scene in "Saved" where the fundamentalist girl nails someone with a Bible and yells, "I am FULL of the love of God."

Uh huh, gotcha, full of love ... well, full of something anyway.

I'll write more on this but for now here is a press release from Soulforce on what happened during the day, and a picture or two.

Greenville, SC, WEDNESDAY April 4, 2007 - Three young women were arrested today, on the anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King Jr., for walking onto the campus of Bob Jones University to engage students in dialogue. These individuals, part of the 2007 Soulforce Equality Ride Eastbound Bus, came to speak with students at the university about its discriminatory policy towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students and the doctrine that sustains it.

Those arrested were Katie Higgins, 24, from Charleston, SC; Amanda Harris, 22, from Little Rock, AR (pictured being taken into custody); and Bronwen Tomb, 23 , from New London, CT. These students were arrested as they attempted to walk on to campus to deliver artwork and a call for change to the campus.

Harris and Tomb both walked on campus carrying pieces of art, that they themselves created, which represented the affects of homophobia within their lives. Higgins walked on after reading a document inspired by and formatted after Luther's 95 theses, in which he brought to light the injustices of the church and called for change. After Higgins' arrest, Mandy Matthias, author of the document and coordinator for the visit to Bob Jones, finished the oration of the theses at the front gate of campus.

Upon arrival to Bob Jones, Equality Riders were met with groups protesting their visit and message of inclusion for God's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender children. Operation Save America, Truth Ministry, and Americans for Truth were three of the anti-gay groups present. Through bullhorns and homophobic signs, they loudly and forcefully spoke against the acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

Bob Jones students were unable to speak with Equality Riders, but riders believe that they made an impact on the student body. "As I was being arrested I could see hundreds of students looking over at us from the chapel, interested in what was happening. It is unfortunate that BJU administration was so quick to restrict the academic freedom on their campus that should be an integral part of the college experience," said Katie Higgins, co-director for the 2007 Soulforce
Equality Ride, east bus.

Bob Jones University is one of 32 Christian colleges and universities that Soulforce will visit as part of its second annual Soulforce Equality Ride, and the ninth visit on the Eastbound route. The 2007 Equality Ride is a 2-month journey by bus that is taking 50 young adults on 2 distinct routes to schools that actively discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Bob Jones is a private Christian college located in Greenville, SC. In letters to individual Equality Riders dated April 4, president Stephen Jones reiterated that "the institution believes the Bible is clear about God's view of homosexual practice" and that there is "no room for dialogue".

Soulforce Q is the young adult division of Soulforce, a social justice organization that works to end political and religious oppression of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people.

Riders arrested and harassed in Kentucky, welcomed in Alabama

This week began with a schedule change. We had originally planned to be at Union University on Monday, but in light of statements made by Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, we reexamined our route. Dr. Mohler has made public statements claiming that if a biological root for homosexuality is ever found, it would be a parent's duty to attempt to change their child's orientation from the womb.

These statements are not only outrageous, but immoral. He is calling for the eradication of a people group through the use of eugenics. Soulforce, along with other major LGBT rights groups, had repeatedly asked Dr. Mohler to rescind these statements, but they remain on his website with no apology. As a group, we made the decision that we could not stand idly by to let a Christian leader demean the beautiful diversity that God has created in humanity, and we headed to Louisville.

We walked into the president's building, and before we could reach the offices, the doors were closed and locked before us. So we had a sit-in right there in the foyer. We came with the intention to speak to Dr. Mohler and ask him to publicly rescind his harmful statements, as well as issue a public apology. However, rather than even let us speak to Dr. Mohler on the phone, the administration promptly called the police, and after about two hours of sitting on the foyer floor, 12 Riders were arrested, including myself.

With the memory of the past few stops, we did not know what to expect as we were being taken away. As we were loaded onto the paddy wagon, the plastic handcuffs were digging sharply into my wrists, and we sang Amazing Grace. Throughout the process, I was thinking back to my own realizations about voluntary redemptive suffering from last week, and as we spent our hours in jail that night I felt better prepared for what we were going through. We were released after 11 hours and told that our arraignment would be on the 29th, the day we would be traveling to Birmingham. Our attorney represented us and we now have a court date set in April. We do not know what the outcome of the trial will be--there may still be fines or jail time
for us to serve.

Our next stop was at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky. When our bus pulled up, the first thing we noticed was that there were 32 police cars--a ratio of more than one car for every Rider. The bus stopped, and when the first Rider stepped down, they were met by an administrator. He told them to get back on the bus, and then he used the bus PA system to tell the Riders that we were not going to be allowed to get off.

A representative from the police then entered the bus and also gave us an unofficial warning over the PA system. We then got off the bus and stood in a vigil line. We could see a group of students sitting and watching us from a stairwell, but no one came across the street to speak to us yet. As we stood, the police came to tell us that we could not stand still on the public sidewalk, ignoring our right to assembly. They forced us to walk up and down the sidewalk and to keep
moving for the entire time we were there. Then students came down and walked with us, and when two students stopped walking, they were placed under arrest.

This hung heavily on our hearts as we moved on to Birmingham, Alabama. On Friday we went to Samford University to be welcomed on campus for the second time on our trip. We had a wonderful day of dialogue, which we needed so desperately after our experiences from the past weeks. There was a forum, two presentations, a prayer service, and countless conversations all day long. As I was there on campus speaking with students, I had the realization that it felt very different from being at our very first stop at Dordt. The words came naturally, and I spoke from
my heart without feeling awkward or concerned. It hit me that I really feel like an Equality Rider.

We ended our week with a visit to the Civil Rights Institute in downtown Birmingham. We stood on holy ground next to the 16th Street Baptist Church, and saw a bus from the original Freedom Ride, gutted and charred. As I walked through silently, I was reminded that we take our roots from these heroes who were willing to take a stand for their humanity. They suffered so much, and one quote that really hit home for me in light of my recent thoughts was from one of the youths who was in jail. I don't remember it verbatim, but they said something like, "We are willing to stand being in jail for as long as people are willing to stand the way that things are out there."

I have known all along the reasons we are going to these schools, but that reminder to focus on our purpose rather than on the punishment was just what I needed. I feel better equipped to move into this next week.

12 Arrested at Southern Baptist Seminary

(Louisville, KY) -- Monday, 12 young adults were arrested for conducting a sit-in outside of the office of Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS). In light of recent inflammatory comments by Albert Mohler, leaders of the Equality Ride eastbound bus decided to reroute temporarily in order to demand an apology for his remarks. Earlier this year, Mohler encouraged the intentional prevention of homosexuality. In an article on his website, Mohler wrote, "If a biological basis is found, and if a prenatal test is then developed, and if a successful treatment to reverse the sexual orientation to heterosexual is ever developed, we would support its use as we should unapologetically support the use of any appropriate means to avoid sexual temptation and the inevitable effects of sin."

Twenty-two Equality Riders sat in Norton Hall at SBTS awaiting a response from Mohler. After about 75 minutes, the Vice President of Communications listened to a statement read by Jarrett Lucas, Co-Director of the Equality Ride. Afterwards, the administrator informed the group that Mohler was unwilling to meet with them or speak with them via telephone.

An excerpt from the statement reads, "We are gathered here as straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to demand that Albert Mohler openly recognize our right to life, love, and liberty. As it stands, his voice is terribly misguided in believing that God does not affirm the identities of gay and transgender people. So, we call on him to take responsibility for his bigotry and the hurtful effects of his statements, and ask that he issue a public apology for having said them. We have a moral obligation to speak out in the name of truth and justice."

After the statement was read, Louisville Police were called in and informed the group that their peaceful assembly would result in arrest. At that point, a delegation left to stand vigil outside of the Seminary. Twelve Equality Riders, determined to stay until Mohler apologized, remained seated outside of the President's Office. Eventually, they were taken into custody under criminal trespassing charges.

The 2007 Equality Ride is a 2-month journey that is taking 50 young adults on 2 distinct bus routes to schools that actively discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

---

Soulforce Q is the young adult division of Soulforce, a social justice organization that works to end political and religious oppression of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. For more information go to www.soulforce.org or www.equalityride.com.

Mandy Arrested as Soulforce Equality Ride Continues

This has been the most eventful week on the road for me personally so far. Our week began with a journey from Oklahoma to Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Baylor is the largest Baptist university in the U. S., and their strategy for interacting with us was to try to ignore our presence.

We had two days of conversations with students planned. The administration had sent out an email earlier in the day to the student body saying that we were not invited guests because they did not want the conversation about sexual orientation to be controlled by anyone else but themselves, but the first day was productive in that we found a good mixture of students to talk to. I spoke with some students who were respectful but confused about why we were there, and others who had not heard about our arrival at all. I also spoke with a group of students who were ecstatic that we were there, and who wanted to help in whatever way they could.

Our second day at Baylor will remain in my memory forever. A few years ago, an underground Gay-Straight Alliance called Baylor Freedom organized and held meetings off campus. In 2003, the group dissipated, primarily because of fear and lack of support on campus. Student groups at Baylor are allowed to advertise information about their meetings on campus with sidewalk chalk, but whenever Baylor Freedom attempted to do so, the administration instructed that their messages be washed away with hoses as soon as possible.

Since I took a similar stand at my own university when I was a student there, and started a GSA there with my friends, the stories of Baylor Freedom resonated with me. So with the memory of Baylor Freedom in mind, and with the knowledge of the forced silence of current LGBT students at Baylor, we walked to the chapel building that second day and began to chalk the messages of hope and affirmation on the sidewalk that Baylor Freedom was never allowed to say. As I looked around, I realized that there were almost as many students chalking with us as there were Equality Riders.

After only a few moments, I was personally arrested with the chalk I was using still in my hands. This began an unexpected 26 hour ordeal within the Waco justice system. At first, we were taken to the Waco jail, and they began to process us, patting us down, emptying our pockets, and asking questions about our identity and history. Then things took an unexpected turn.

They divided us up into perceived females and perceived males. My friend Shawn, who is transgender and identifies as male, was forced to join the females in the group. They then took us to a room and made us strip down and performed a cavity search. Then they handed us black and white striped jumpsuits and plastic sandals, and ushered us to a holding cell. After 11 hours of being systematically ignored, they finally pulled us out of the holding cell to finish processing us at 2 AM.

When they had taken our fingerprints and gotten more detailed information from us, they split us up into smaller holding cells--each one a room about 5 by 9 feet in length, with a small seat and a toilet. We were given wool blankets, but nowhere else to sleep but the concrete floor. Shawn was moved into a cell with me. At this point, having been separated from the perceived males in our group, and having no contact with anyone on the outside of the jail, we were really
beginning to worry. We were told nothing but that we would be there at least until morning. All we could do was wait.

Finally, at 10 AM, after 19 hours, a guard came and opened our cell door, and we sat with other perceived females to watch a video that told us our Miranda Rights. Then we were individually rushed before a judge who asked us briefly if we understood our rights and then set our bond at $2,000 per person.

Our hearts froze. This was much more than we had ever anticipated. Unsure of what was going to happen next, I used my one phone call to contact my girlfriend. This was my first contact with anyone outside the building, and she promised she would call the co-directors and let them know exactly what was going on.

We waited. Six more hours passed with no acknowledgment or interaction from anyone. Then, at four o'clock, 26 hours after being brought to the Waco jail, a guard came to our doors and we were led to the changing room again to put on our clothes.

When we stumbled out of the building into the sun, we were greeted by four Equality Riders who had stayed behind as the rest of the group had moved on in order to drive with us to meet them in Mississippi. We ran to meet one another.

Our next stop was at Mississippi College in Clinton, a town who had previously told us that within the town limits of Clinton, if any groups of Equality Riders exceeded more than three persons at a time, we would be arrested. After being sent a hasty reminder from the ACLU of our First Amendment rights, they rescinded that warning, but watched us very closely from the first moment we rolled into town with a police escort.

When we pulled in to the college, there were literally hundreds of students waiting. We held hands to cross the street as we got off the bus, and students who had planned to join us in our vigil also held hands to walk down the hill and meet us. We explained that we had made a collage of childhood photos of Equality Riders to present to the college as a statement that we are all God's children.

After a few more words from the people who had coordinated that stop, students were welcomed to come down to the property line and speak to us. Literally hundreds of conversations were had in the few hours that we were there. Five Equality Riders were arrested for simply stepping across that line to engage in conversation. They were sentenced to 10 days in jail suspended for those who had no prior convictions, but for the three Riders who had gone to jail before for justice, their sentence was 20 days in jail suspended with the stipulation that they do not get into legal trouble within the next 2 years. The other part of their sentence was that they must do four weekdays of community service. And as we were leaving Clinton, we were pulled over multiple times and told by the police to "go on and get out of town."

So our group has been divided again. The rest of us have had to move on while those three stay in Mississippi. This week has me examining the concept of voluntary redemptive suffering. In spite of everything we have gone through, I have to come to the conclusion that every pain that I must endure, every bail that we must pay is worth it for the life of one student who
is given the hope and encouragement to carry on.

This message is one that can no longer be silenced. The cost to stay as we are is much greater than the cost to continue.