Sanctuary Collective and the 2010 Equality Ride

The Soulforce Equality Ride is a somewhat annual bus trip involving 20 to 30 young people who make the decision to put their lives on hold for two months to travel across the country to colleges and universities that have policies or atmospheres that make it difficult or impossible to be out as queer or trans - or in some cases even as an ally. They travel to start dialogue with students and administration about how harmful and devistating these policies can be.

In January, right before our own Discipleship Program Gathering, Brian and I travelled down to Austin, Texas to help train the 2010 Riders on what the Bible has to say about justice, specifically for queer and trans folks. And last weekend I made the shorter journey down to Philadelphia to be with the Riders at their first stop at Valley Forge Christian College.

As I spent time with the Riders and had conversations both on the bus and out in the community of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, I reflected on the reasons why I think it's important for us at Sanctuary Collective to support and work with the Equality Ride.

First, and as a full disclosure, several of us on the Sanctuary Collective Leadership and Support Teams first met each other through participating on the Equality Ride ourselves. It's where I had my first experiences working for social justice on a broader scale, and also where I first had the support I needed to begin coming to terms with my identity as a trans man. In short, I support the Equality Ride because of the way it affects those who participate in it.

Second, I support the Equality Ride because of the conversations it inspires. Four years after the first Ride stopped at my alma mater, Eastern University, people are still talking about it. That's an awfully long conversation for a community where most of the people who were there at the time are now gone.

The final reason is perhaps more practical. It's important for us to partner with the Equality Ride because they are able to come in contact with people that Sanctuary Collective can not yet reach. As they travel, the Riders will come in contact with students and young people who are excited to work in their communities for LGBTQ justice. And the Riders will be able to pass along our website and our contact information so that they can receive the support they need as they do this important work.

I hope you'll join me in getting excited as those emails and phone calls start coming in!