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SOULFORCE MEDIA ALERT: March 13, 2006
For Immediate Release
Contact: Richard Lindsay, 646-258-7193, richard@equalityride.com
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(Virginia Beach, VA) – Soulforce Equality Riders showed their determination to speak with students about putting an end to religion-based discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, making contact with students at Regent University by cell phone, e-mail, even hand-written signs.
As the bus holding the 32 young adults pulled up to Regent University, founded by televangelist Pat Robertson, more than 30 Virginia Beach and Regent security officers on foot and on horseback stood on university grounds preventing the group from entering the campus. The commander of the Regent security force gave the riders a warning that they would be arrested if they stepped off the bus.
After the warning, Equality Ride representatives met with police and Regent officials, striking a deal allowing for a forum on public property in front of the campus. The Riders lined the sidewalk in front of the school, set up tables and banners and eagerly awaited the possibility of talking with students.
Despite the Riders’ hope for open dialogue, Virginia Beach Police and Regent Security intercepted several students when as they attempted to approach the Equality Riders and turned them away, citing “public safety” as a concern for not allowing the students to cross onto public property. A Regent student later informed the Equality Ride that the officers and university officials told them if they crossed the line from the university to the public property that they would not be allowed back on campus for the rest of the day.
“It was frustrating that we couldn’t get in touch with them, it was like both sides were willing to cross this invisible line Regent had set up, but the school didn’t want to let that happen,” said Chad Grandy, Equality Ride coordinator for the Regent stop.
Using their ingenuity, the Equality Riders signaled the Regent students with improvised signs with cell phone numbers written on them. The plan worked, as several Regent students called the Riders to set up a meeting at a convenience store across the street. The discussion was friendly as students and Riders discussed the need for greater acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people among people of faith. On invitation from the Regent students, several Equality Riders will be meeting with an interdenominational Bible study group on Monday evening. The Regent students said they were circulating a petition to allow the Equality Ride participants on campus. Despite the limitations to open academic discourse being placed on the Equality Ride by some colleges, say that their goal is to use peer to peer interaction to end the controversy over this divisive social issue once and for all.
The riders plan to return to Regent tomorrow, March 14, at 11 AM with hopes of open discussion with students. Riders plan to enter campus and attempt to speak with students regardless of the administration’s stance, but the hope is for peaceful dialogue.
“The Regent students today were so brave. For them to come forward in a spirit of open exchange of ideas despite walls being erected by their school was truly inspiring,” said Haven Herrin, co-director of he Equality Ride. “Hopefully, the administration will follow the example of their students and let us on campus tomorrow to speak with our fellow young adults, so maybe the next generation can pave the way for greater acceptance.”
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Read about Regent University at www.equalityride.com/regent.
Soulforce’s purpose is freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance. For more information go to www.equalityride.com or www.soulforce.org.