FL: Equality Ride bus target of vandalism

[Shana A]

FL: Equality Ride bus target of vandalism
by: Pam Spaulding
Tue Oct 14, 2008 at 11:00:00 AM EDT

http://pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=7542

The Soulforce Equality Ride has traveled around the country since 2006, visiting 50 schools that ban or discriminate against openly LGBT students. They attempt to take part in worship services and bible studies, and hold panels to work with administrators to reconsider their policies and become welcoming institutions. The riders are not always greeted with open arms. On a stop the other day in West Palm Beach, the Equality Ride bus was vandalized, and some riders were arrested on the campus of the chapel of Palm Beach Atlantic University.

    The Equality Riders were immediately restricted to the far side of the sidewalk and were greeted by an organized group of parents. During the conversations that ensued, a few students did join the group and one came out as a lesbian who is in her first year at PBAU. She was able to speak firsthand about the lack of safety that is provided for her as a lesbian on campus, which affirms Soulforce Q's reasons for visiting the Christian school.