Religion and Sexuality: Together for Equality
author: Katie Nilson
 e-mail: katidani@gmail.com
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A faith-based group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and straight allies called the Equality Riders have been traveling around the U.S. visiting primarily Christian Universities that have policies they believe discriminate against LGBT students. Though they have not been welcomed by many of the universities they have visited, Riders were warmly greeted by George Fox University on Thursday where they presented in classrooms and had open dialogue with students and administration throughout the day, conversations that encouraged a critical engagement with scripture, and the vast spectrum of theological perspectives, but most importantly the personal stories of individuals whose lives have been affected and often damaged because of certain theological interpretations and actions.
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On Thursday morning twenty-five students from a variety of faith and family backgrounds, sexual identities and orientations, and college experiences converged on Newberg Oregon for some not-so-traditional-activism. As they stood before the gates of George Fox University—a Quaker institution—they answered questions from the press prior to entering the campus for open discussion and presentations that would seek to challenge the historical prevalence of religious discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals that has existed throughout much of traditional biblical Christianity.
The group is called Soulforce, and the event is the Equality Ride. They are a group of fifty young people on two buses working together to bring freedom from religious and political oppression to those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. They are in the middle of a two-month journey across the United States where they have been visiting a handful of religious colleges and universities that have policies they believe discriminate against LGBT individuals. Their hope is to create civil and respectful dialogue that will inform as well as challenge many commonly held beliefs about homosexuality that many on the ride believe "are often the result of misinformation or fear." Soulforce sees the important part that religion plays in shaping our culture, and they also understand that those who are college educated will likely be the leaders in our churches and society at large.
George Fox was one of thirty-two Christian-affiliated colleges and universities on the radar for a visit from the Equality Riders. The reason? The school's policy and lifestyle commitment states:
"In regard to sexual morality, we believe that only marriage between a man and a woman is God's intention for the joyful fulfillment of sexual intimacy. This should always be in the context of mutual compassion, love, and fidelity. Sexual behaviors outside this context—including adultery, promiscuity, sexual abuse, and homosexual practice—are inconsistent with God's teaching."
The student handbook additionally gives examples of unacceptable conduct: "Any student involved in a homosexual lifestyle, including behavior or being in a sexually active relationship." This is listed alongside a variety of other activities considered by the university to be morally wrong: theft, lying, vulgarity, drunkenness, immodest dress, and occult practices.
Though the school's policy seems to be stringent and outdated, the administration welcomed the Riders for a day of presentations and dialogue on the campus. "We see this as an opportunity to model to students and our community how to be Christ in the world, including civil discourse with people with whom we disagree," says the Vice President of Student Life, Brad Lau. Though the faculty and administration are required to sign a statement of faith and many often choose to integrate their faith into the subjects they teach in the classroom, there is also a high regard for academic freedom with the belief that the university was purposed for the seeking of truth and should be a place where civil discourse and hard questions must not be ignored.
Even though most students on campus hold to the more orthodox interpretation of the Bible on the issue of homosexuality, there was a wide variety of academic and personal exchange in classrooms. Though there were a small number of dissenting students who chose to protest the visit by wearing homemade t-shirts that read, "Equality Riders" inside a circle, with a cross through it, students for the most part gave positive feedback in response to the visit. Many appreciated the opportunity to really dig into the scriptures and to hear a different perspective. Others had never had meaningful conversations face-to-face with anyone who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. One woman shared of her experience with a friend who was struggling with his sexual orientation in a Latter Day Saints community where the issue of homosexuality was taboo. Tab Dansby, an Equality Rider expressed his appreciation for the concerns that have come out of many conversations. He has been grateful for the challenge and opportunity to reflect on his own understanding of the scriptures, as well as for the critical evaluation that he takes seriously as he seeks to find more constructive approaches for bridging the gaps of understanding between these contrasting perspectives.
In response to how students' felt about the school's policy on homosexuality, many stated that they did not agree with the rule that they could not drink alcohol. "It's a commitment we make when we come here, to abstain from certain things that could get in the way of our studies and spiritual growth," said one young woman during a lunchtime conversation. "We don't have to like it, but we have agreed to follow them while we are here." But to equate drinking alcohol to one's core social and/or sexual identity, seems a far stretch. Rebecca Buck, another Rider asked some hard questions scrutinizing this association. Discussion focused on Old Testament law, grace, love, and the acceptance of the outsider by Jesus. She invited the group to share their backgrounds of faith and also brought up some contexts for the scriptures, looking at the male dominated culture, while defining some terms that helped frame a different view.
Professors and students alike were unified in their voices when they said that even if they disagreed with someone's lifestyle, they would have no excuse not to love and care for them. But, "People don't have to choose to go to our school," one student mentioned. "We aim to be a supportive and redemptive community," said Lau. "Someone can be struggling with this issue on campus—it has come up before—we must respect them where they are, honor them and counsel them, but they cannot embrace the behavior." Sarah Baldwin, the campus pastor echoed the same. "I love my position; I get to hear stories and experience lives, though I'm not in a position to discipline." She also has dealt with students who "struggle with homosexuality," but when it comes down to what she believes, she takes the university's position. She would guide the best she could, but she mentioned that there are trained counselors on campus who are also available for confidential support and guidance.
There were some discussions around the differences between monogamous and committed same-sex relationships, and those of a sexual nature, whether the former would be ok for a student, however the conclusions were not clearly articulated. When asked about the universities modeling of the inclusive love of Christ in welcoming the Equality Riders, who also claim to act and speak on behalf of a similar spiritual calling centered on the love of God for all people, there was a pause. There are obviously two differing theological interpretations: the university's orthodox position, and the progressive theology of the Equality Riders, which when placed side-by-side, include numerous disparities, though both claim to come from the same fundamental source. How can this be? One responds by excluding a behavior believed to be morally wrong in the name of truth and love to prevent moral decay and encourage righteousness in the church. The other sows seeds of justice, truth, and compassion that affirm the need for permanent companionship as a gift from God regardless of gender identity or orientation, in response to what they recognize as oppressive values, ideas, and interpretive traditions that have been used to silent people and prevent those who seek a genuine relationship with the divine equal access and allowance for the love of God. Lau was humbled by the contrasting paradigms, and the closeness of purpose. "I don't understand it, but I'm not God," he said.
Though the Equality Riders have only been on the road a month, they have not received such a warm welcome from other universities. George Fox was stop seven of fifteen for the west bus, and the Riders on the east bus have faced vandalism, protesters, trespassing notices, and have been arrested for acts of civil disobedience when they have stepped foot on campuses that refused their entrance. This is the second year that the Equality Riders have gone out, expanding from one bus to two, and revisiting schools that have been especially resistant to dialogue. Brigham Young University, an LDS school in Provo Utah, has refused entrance both years, and when the Riders stopped in March, though they were met by a superfluity of press, there was no sign of welcome from school administration. However they came with a purpose to deliver and submit a list of concerns and grievances from current and past students regarding experiences of LGBT and their families with hopes of making it a safer and more equitable place for all. Riders echoed a striking statistic that three to four LGBT youth coming from an LDS background commit suicide everyday.
In every city that Soulforce visits, there are community events and conversations planned outside the bounds of school property; though these events have been discouraged by certain schools and students may face disciplinary actions for attending them, they have been overwhelmingly attended by eager students hungry for engagement with topics that have been forbidden in the name of religious tradition.
The Equality Riders have committed to practicing non-violent communication and direct action in the tradition of Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. As they strive to bring justice and reconciliation across America through seeking truth in all places with friends and foes, they hope to make a small dent in the geography of the mind as well. The Riders were encouraged by the warm welcome they received at George Fox. There were a few notable conversations and reflections that Brandon Kneefel mentions in his blog on the Soulforce website, the summation of his day being this: "If dialogue was the mountain to scale, the west bus Equality Riders finished the day standing atop Mt. Everest, exhausted, contemplative, triumphant, challenged and satisfied."
The Equality Riders are still in the Portland area if anyone is interested in meeting them. The following events have been planned for community participation and engagement:
Nonviolence Seminar hosted by the Soulforce Equality Riders and Love Makes a Family
Friday, 6 April, 1 - 4 p.m. @ Portland Community College Cascade Campus
705 N. Killingsworth St., Terrell Hall Room 201
Hike, picnic lunch, and a period of reflection and thanksgiving
Saturday, 7 April, 10 a.m., lunch at 12 p.m. @ Tryon Creek State Park
Exit 297 off I-5, Terwilliger Blvd.
Dinner and discussion with the Equality Riders
Saturday, 7 April, 5 - 7 p.m. (followed by an Easter Vigil at 7 p.m.)
Central Lutheran Church, 1820 NE 21st Ave
Call Amy and Tab at 312 307 3585 with any questions.
The Equality Riders are set to hit Seattle next week, then BYU in Rexburg Idaho on the 16th and 17th of April where they have already received notices of trespassing. Regardless of welcome, their purpose remains the same: to deliver messages of hope for those who are silenced on campuses because of their gender identity or sexual orientation, and to start a sustainable dialogue that will help foster the consideration—regardless of position—of another's perspective out of love, care, concern, and compassion for humankind.
Soulforce can be found on the World Wide Web at:  http://www.soulforce.org/index.php
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homepage: http://www.myspace.com/wildknots
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