Gay and Lesbian College Students Benefit from the Work of Soulforce and the Equality Riders

Soulforce and the Equality Riders, a social justice organization that works to end political and religious oppression of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, are making a significant and positive impact on American college and university campuses.

Founded in 1991 by Mel White and Gary Nixon, Soulforce's Mission Statement says that their purpose is "freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance." The organization stands tall against spiritual violence, which it defines as the misuse of religion to sanction the condemnation and rejection of any of God's children.

The Soulforce Equality Riders are fifty young adults who annually go on a two-month bus tour to raise awareness about religion-based discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students at Christian colleges and universities across the nation. One bus of 25 activists travels west; the other bus of 25 activists travels east. They appear uninvited on more than 30 select Christian colleges and universities whose policies and campus climate support society's bias against sexual and gender minorities. The intent is to engage students and administrators in conversation in hopes of getting these colleges and universities to revamp their polices toward gays, lesbians, bisexual, and transgender students.

Their message is clear: Misusing religion and/or God against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender college students justifies psychological, legal and physical violence, such as those religious zealots who proclaim that "God Hates Fags." This kind of spiritual violence allows "Christians" to condemn God's gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender children, and teaches that God condemns and rejects them too. Instead, the Riders proclaim, love liberates the oppressed, redeems the lost, and resurrects the spirit.