Everything's Bigger in Texas
After visiting three schools, Soulforce's Equality Ride will unfortunately be leaving Texas tomorrow at noon.
It's unfortunate for a few different reasons. One of them being, we had great conversations and a good time at Dallas Baptist University, which openly welcomed us onto campus. I really appreciate DBU and the space and time they shared with us. They were sincere, honest, and loving (I speak from my own experience there).
Another reason why it is unfortunate is because I met a great guy while we were here. It's not often I find someone who is responsible, young, gay, a Christian, has values, and a personality. He took me ice skating for the first time on our first date.
The very last reason why I'm saddened about leaving Texas is because of Buli. It is this FANTASTIC restaurant in the gayborhood of Dallas on Cedar Spring Road. Everyone must go there and try the "Tuna Salad Panini" on the "Hippy Health Bread!" Yum!
It is because of these reasons off the top of my head why I'm sad about leaving Dallas, TX. We will drive three hours tomorrow to the infamous gay resort in Oklahoma, "Habana." From what I heard about it so far, it should be interesting to say the least. I will definitely have to give you guys a update from my time there.
That is about it from me right now. Have a safe and happy Halloween!
Much love,
Azariah Southworth
P.S. Pick up the November issue of Instinct Magazine because I'm in it! :)
It's Halloween and some of you are preparing for a night out on the town or dressing up your kids so they can pretend to be someone else for the evening. But for young closeted LGBT students inside Christian colleges and universities, harassment is not a trick and life is not a treat. The reality is that they are forced to wear a mask every single day -- one they dare not remove or else face ridicule, condemnation, and expulsion. That's why the Equality Ride is so important -- it literally saves lives.
Can you help us finish the Equality Ride by making a $10, $20, or $50 donation today?
Our young people have four more stops: Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR, Central Baptist College in Conway, AR, Union University in Jackson, TN, and Simmons College of Kentucky in Louisville, KY. Unfortunately, we have not yet raised the $68,000 needed to make sure students at these schools hear the truth about LGBT people. You responded compassionately to our emergency appeal to get the bus on the road, and now we need your help to complete this vital project. We need to raise $19,000 by Wednesday of next week or we will be forced to seriously consider turning the bus around due to lack of funds. We can't let that happen -- too many students are depending on us!
The economy is impacting us all and many in our community are giving generously to support marriage equality and/or one of the Presidential campaigns. Like you, we anxiously await the outcome. Yet regardless of the results this Tuesday, thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people will continue to suffer violence and discrimination at the hands of those who do not understand them. At universities, this oppression often hides in plain sight, masquerading as rigid doctrine or timeless tradition. Consequently, it goes unchallenged and unchanged. Guided by principles of nonviolence, the Soulforce Equality Riders 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.
Soulforce will weather this economic storm, but a donation from you tonight would be a big encouragement to the Riders.
Please ask others to make a donation as well. The Equality Riders have given more than two months out of their year to this project because they believe in it so deeply -- let's help them finish the journey.
Thank you and have fun tonight!
Jeff Lutes, MS, LPC
Executive Director
Soulforce, Inc.
¡Hola tío! Acabo de abrirme un blog en Blogger y buscando a través de internet otros de temática me he encontrado con el tuyo. Te dejo la dirección (http://noesotrobloggay.blogspot.com/) por si te apetece echarle un vistazo, ¿ok? Felicidades por el tuyo y espero saber tu opinión del mio, ¡je! Un abrazo.
Posted by: Lukas | November 01, 2008 at 04:11 PM