Gay-equality group plans Liberty University visit

By DAVE THOMPSON
Lynchburg News & ADvance
Published: October 1, 2008

A gay-equality organization plans to kick off a national bus tour of faith-based colleges today, beginning with Liberty University.

As part of The Equality Ride, organized by Soulforce, 17 young adults of differing sexual orientations also plan to visit Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Houston and Simmons College of Kentucky in Louisville. The organizers say they hope to spread a message of inclusion at schools that have policies that discriminate against gays.

The organization has visited Liberty previously, and in 2006, 24 members were arrested after violating the school’s order not to come onto the campus.

The demonstrators received mixed reactions from students at their last visit: slurred by some, engaged by others.

Activists also were arrested at Bob Jones University after attempting to enter the campus. Soulforce was founded in 1999 by the Rev. Mel White, a former ghostwriter for the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, founder of Liberty University. White announced his homosexuality in 1993.

Falwell had said all sex outside of married, heterosexual sex is a sin.

The Lynchburg-based organization, according to its Web site, http://www.soulforce.org, exists to achieve “freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance.“

According to a news release from Soulforce, First Christian Church of Lynchburg plans to host a worship service this evening for the activists as well as members of the community. Also according to the Web site, the riders are implementing new strategies this time, including attempting to reach students and community members by organizing community-service opportunities.