Thursday, October 2, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
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
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
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Ride That Almost Never Was
When you pour your heart and soul into something you want it to work out okay. One thing you don't expect is to be told there is a possibility that it may not happen.
“So Zak we just had a really big grant fall though. We will know by 4pm today if we are going on the ride.” That was phone call I got yesterday. For the next few hours I prayed, called, emailed, prayed and wondered what would happen to me if the Ride did not happen. At 5:30 I got a phone call saying that the Equality Ride was still on.
In that time I realized something that I never thought of before. If we did not do this work who would? I thought to myself that the Equality Ride not happening is not an option. I realized that as much as I am passionate about this work that it is not longer about me and how I feel about the ride. Its about the students on the campus who are struggling with who they are the faith they have known all their lives. If anything I am much more gracious to be here and humbled to be a part of this work.
We made it to Baltimore today and started into our first day of training this evening. We shared our feelings about what I call Black Tuesday, caught up with each other, ate dinner and settled in. We are making home here in the city for a week. One more week of training and workshops. There will not be a dull moment. I can guarantee you this!
I know some of you are wondering if we still need to raise money. The answer is yes. We still need money. You can donate at www.equalityride.com/donate or www.soulforce.org/zak_rittenhouse. Our work is not possiblie without your support.
From The Road
Zak Rittenhouse
Zak@equalityride.com
www.soulforce.org/zak_rittenhouse
For more information on the Equality Ride and where we are going check out www.equalityride.com!
“So Zak we just had a really big grant fall though. We will know by 4pm today if we are going on the ride.” That was phone call I got yesterday. For the next few hours I prayed, called, emailed, prayed and wondered what would happen to me if the Ride did not happen. At 5:30 I got a phone call saying that the Equality Ride was still on.
In that time I realized something that I never thought of before. If we did not do this work who would? I thought to myself that the Equality Ride not happening is not an option. I realized that as much as I am passionate about this work that it is not longer about me and how I feel about the ride. Its about the students on the campus who are struggling with who they are the faith they have known all their lives. If anything I am much more gracious to be here and humbled to be a part of this work.
We made it to Baltimore today and started into our first day of training this evening. We shared our feelings about what I call Black Tuesday, caught up with each other, ate dinner and settled in. We are making home here in the city for a week. One more week of training and workshops. There will not be a dull moment. I can guarantee you this!
I know some of you are wondering if we still need to raise money. The answer is yes. We still need money. You can donate at www.equalityride.com/donate or www.soulforce.org/zak_rittenhouse. Our work is not possiblie without your support.
From The Road
Zak Rittenhouse
Zak@equalityride.com
www.soulforce.org/zak_rittenhouse
For more information on the Equality Ride and where we are going check out www.equalityride.com!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
It's Time To Hit The Road, Almost!
I can't believe its almost here. The 2008 Soulforce Q Equality Ride which I am a part of this year. 18 people. 15 college campuses. 2 months. 1 bus. In a few days I will be hoping on a plane and traveling to Baltimore to reunite with the rest of the Riders. It has been since the middle of July that I last saw any of them but if I know anything, distance means nothing between friends. Once we all arrive in Baltimore it will be one week of continued training, finalizing presentations, and continued hard work to make sure that each one of the school stops each rider planned is ready to go when we get to that community.
Since this is my first blog I guess I should tell you a little about who I am. My name is Zak Rittenhouse, 21 years old and I come from a small, rural, southern Ohio town called Frankfort, about 20 miles east of Chillicothe. My hometown is very conservative and there is a church on every block, needless to say growing up, being a part of the church and a Christian was a big a part of my life. I was your typical active member in my church youth group. Summer mission trips, Friday night football gatherings after the game, and youth choir were all part of my life. I also have been gay for as long as I can remember. When I could first put a name to my feelings I did what any good Christian man would do, I prayed. Hard. I wanted to be straight, I heard what my pastor said about gay people. Then I thought, “If my church can see me doing all this awesome things for Christ, maybe that will change how they see gay people. If they knew that they were talking about they would change their minds.” I told my youth pastor I was gay, and he echoed the same sentiments that my pastor had stated. I never set foot in that church again.
Though I never set foot in that particular church again I knew that God loved me just the way he made me. So I continued to believe and pray that God would send me a message of hope. And boy, did he deliver!
I was sitting at home watching TV and the UCC “Bouncer” add came on. I watched with so much interest and immediately went on the Internet to check it all out. Needless to say, this was the sign I was praying for.
Since then I have been spreading the message that God loves all people, even LGBT people. One of my friends turned me on to Soulforce and the Equality Ride. After a multitude of phone interviews and essays, I found out I landed a seat on the bus this year.
This ride is going to be nothing short of amazing. I am looking forward to so many things! Running with Nick and Nicholas, talking music with Azariah and Manny, learning Russian from Anna, finding cool little vegetarian friendly spots on the road with Lauren, laughing at the thing us country kids do with Rachel, curling up and watching movies on the bus with Alex, Taueret and Cait, learning all I can from Katie, Haven, Jarrett and Bill who are on their third Equality Ride, sharing Americorps stories with Enzi, and laughing and telling jokes with Abby and Danielle, and so many more. These people will become my family while I am on the road, and I could not have picked a better one myself.
Well I am looking forward to many good experiences while on the road, I know it wont all be cupcakes and puppys, however I am ready for the challenge and to spread a message of unconditional, unwavering, love to places where LGBT rarely, if ever, hear that message. Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” I am ready to be that change. Keep track of me all the riders here and check out out rider pages at http://www.soulforce.org/2008riders to learn more about us. If you have not had the chance please take sometime and donate to one of the amazing riders. We each have a goal of 3500 and without the support of people like you there is no way we would make it! Well folks, I am out of here to go study, read and start packing!
From The Road(Almost)
Zak Rittenhouse
Zak@equalityride.com
www.soulforce.org/zak_rittenhouse
For more information on the Equality Ride and where we are going check out www.equalityride.com!
Monday, April 30, 2007
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
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
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
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.
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.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
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
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
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