Queer as he wants to be - Out & About Newspaper

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28 • NEWS • OUT & ABOUT NEWSPAPER • APRIL, 2006 SoulForce Equality riders travel for justice by Ken Palmer Knoxville News Writer A busload of GLBT youth hit the road this Spring in protest of repressive policies on college and university campuses. The 50-day event is intended to garner support for GLBT equality in admission and other policies primarily in place at military and religious education institutions around the nation. The 35 young adult members will visit 19 campuses where known homophobic policies are in place. All campuses on the itinerary ban the enrollment of GLBT students. “At all schools we seek dialogue because we have an important message to share,” said Jacob Reitan, Co- Director of the Soulforce Equality Ride. Tour stops include campuses in Virginia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas, California, Utah, Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois, Pennsylvania and New York. Haven Herrin, co-director of the Equality Ride, noted, “We are a diverse group racially, religiously, culturally, geographically and in terms of age (17-28). All riders engage in this journey voluntarily.” The Council for the Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) was the kick-off site for the national journey on March 9. President Bob Andringa of CCCU has spoken to the group and promises open communication. Fifteen of the nineteen schools are in the CCCU group. ‘We have to believe,” premised Haven, “that everyone can engage in this discussion with peace, love and civility. We fully accept whatever results from our genuine desire for negotiation. Haven Herrin, codirector of the This (process) is about Equality Ride involving and educating communities. The call for justice must come from all people, across the nation.” Angel Collie is the only trans-identified person on the ride. “I believe I have a unique perspective because people tend to treat me differently because I do pass so well, especially among girls.” Passing as a male seems to make people more comfortable in talking to him. “I also find there is more power in my personal story than scriptural or factual reasoning,” Angel said. “I also believe my perspective will be helpful because there are not many people even on the ride who understand trans issues. Therefore, I can raise aware- Photo provided
ness.” Being an advocate, Angel has paid a price. “I think the most profound experiences have been being arrested and seeing how I am treated in that system,” he reflected. “Both (arrests) times I have passed as male,” Angel noted. “That has proved to be a bonding experience in that (male) group.” Angel also identifies genderqueer, boi and trannyfag. “I love it all!” Angel said. Future plans after the national tour are to get an associate degree and transfer to a university. “I hope to get my undergraduate degree in psychology or sociology and transfer to the Pacific School of Religion to attain my Masters in Divinity,” Angel said. “I would like to be ordained and work for MCC.” The goals of the ride are to challenge the institution policies, enlighten the college leadership and advocate for closeted students. The group will provide information regarding local and national counseling resources. “Helping those who are suffering under oppression is our foremost goal,” Haven declared. The participants are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight allies. The weeklong orientation in Washington, D.C., included the Soulforce philosophy of peaceful, nonviolent resistance. Included in the group is at least one high school student. Nine riders are currently enrolled in college while the rest are now out of school. One rider, Monica Carmean, is a junior at Northwestern University outside of Chicago, Ill. She wants to be a policy advocate when she “grows up.” For Monica, a straight ally, her sexual orientation is a nonissue within the group. “We’re all people,” Monica affirmed, “and we’re all seeking dialogue on the same issues. We have so much more in common than we have different, and we have more diversity than just our sexual orientation. I relate to them easily. We’re all young, enthusiastic, caring, amazing people.” Her faith background in the United Church of Christ stresses equality. “The Bible,” Monica observed, “has been misused to oppress many different groups over the centuries: people of color, women, people of other faiths and others. GLBTQ people are just the ones suffering now. I can’t stand by and watch any category of people be treated as less than human.” Twenty-four riders were recently arrested during the Equality Ride’s initial stop to discuss civil rights at Liberty University. After reading individual statements, 15 members of the Equality Ride group stepped on the campus grounds at Lynchburg, Virginia, where they were arrested and charged. More than 30 supporters greeted the riders off campus. Haven Herrin, co-director of the Equality Ride, noted, “Reactions were varied. About 35 came offcampus to speak to us. Some NEWS • OUT & ABOUT NEWSPAPER • APRIL, 2006 • 29 were there to tell us we were sinners and engage in a polemical debate. Many were truly there to hear our side.” “One student came off campus,” Herrin disclosed, “and told me that she agreed with us and did not condemn us, nor did she feel she had the freedom to have a different perspective than that of Liberty University.” This encounter contrasts with the April 2005 stop when the members were given cookies not civic charges. Everyone arrested is free with a future court summons and a possible fine. “I am very proud of my brothers and sisters,” Herrin commented, “that chose to go on to Liberty campus to share our message. It is too important, too much a matter of life and death, to be turned away. It is sad that Falwell decided we were too much of a threat to engage in discussion.” Additional arrests occurred when the riders visited Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. They also experienced hate speech that defaced their tour bus at the Lee University Campus in Cleveland, Tenn. Donna Davridge, who now resides in Knoxville, Tenn. with partner, Kat, were both discovered as lesbians and dismissed from Union University in Jackson, Tenn., in February 2004. “What has been amazing,” Dawn said, “is that in the process leading up to the ride, I found an incredible Davridge Photo provided amount of support that is just wonderful.” Dawn learned about the Equality Ride on the continued on page 30
Page 1 and 2: APRIL Vol. 5, No. 4, 2006 © 2006 O
Page 3 and 4: OUT & ABOUT NEWSPAPER • APRIL, 20
Page 5 and 6: Tennessee needs a bathhouse The let
Page 15 and 16: Staff Reports The Smoky Mountain Ro
Page 17 and 18: NEWS • OUT & ABOUT NEWSPAPER •
Page 19 and 20: FDA holds workshop on blood donor c
Page 21 and 22: Nashville GLBT Chamber briefs by Ra
Page 27: Eligible Ryan White HIV Drug Assist
Page 31 and 32: Play Dance Bar April 23, 2006 $20 g
Page 33 and 34: Gold... Support our Sponsors Silver
Page 37 and 38: Church Street Cafe — continued fr
Page 43 and 44: sion of bringing marriage equality
Page 45 and 46: ‘The Gay Marriage Thing’ by Coo
Page 49 and 50: Shock softball team takes third at
Page 51 and 52: Erasure gay icon Andy Bell talks wi
Page 53 and 54: Gay rugby team forms in Nashville S
Page 57 and 58: Photo by Sarah Dot Stanley by Ryan
Page 59 and 60: y Beth Maples-Bays East Tennessee B
Page 61 and 62: LOFTS & CONDOS FOR SALE Fifth and M

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