Impatient college student blazes rights trail

[ruggerson]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060424/OPINION03/604240329&SearchID=73242572297876

Deb Price

Impatient college student blazes rights trail

As the amazing Equality Riders began their seven-week, coast-to-coast bus trip to protest bans on gay students at 19 of the nation's 200 evangelical colleges and military academies, their 24-year-old leader, Jake Reitan, impressed upon the 33 young activists that they were about to make history: "We have taken on a responsibility that is much larger than this one ride," Jake declared, reminding them of the role that young adult Freedom Riders -- both black and white -- played in ending racial segregation. "This is the beginning of a youth movement for gay rights. It has never existed before. It is our responsibility to make sure it continues."

What has since happened is a miraculous preview of what idealist gay and gay-friendly youth can achieve as they counter the centuries of religion-based intolerance that prop up anti-gay laws. With their bus displaying "Learn From History: End Religion-Based Oppression," the Equality Riders were met with warm hospitality at about half of the colleges, where they sang, worshipped and ate with evangelical students.

At Bethel University in St.Paul, Minn., for instance, more than 1,200 people attended a panel on homosexuality and the Bible led by three Bethel participants and three Equality Riders.

Earlier, when the riders' bus was vandalized, students at Lee University in Tennessee scrubbed off the spray-painted "FAGS-MOBILE." And, inspired by the riders stopping at their schools, several closeted students came out.

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[dsc]

1. It never ceases to amaze me how far we have come

and how far we have yet to go. This is a perfect example of both. God bless those young adults.

[ShalachEtAmi]

2. A lot of people at these colleges are probably Homophobic..until..

Their brother or sister comes out,or their sons or daughters,or cousins or best friends(with good taste in fashion) comes out .

Or when their wife or husband comes out (OK maybe that one causes more homophobia)

But the point is : it is difficult to maintain your prejudice when someone you love or is close to you is the object of your ingrained `hate`.

[xchrom]

3. ok this rocks!

''Earlier, when the riders' bus was vandalized, students at Lee University in Tennessee scrubbed off the spray-painted "FAGS-MOBILE." And, inspired by the riders stopping at their schools, several closeted students came out.''
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:yourock: :yourock: :yourock:

[LeftHander]

4. oh yeah rocks big time....nt

[Duncan Grant]

5. Most inspiring story of the day.

Visit their website and send them your $ and best wishes! Equality Ride

Great post ruggerson! :thumbsup: