Tennessee Waltz
Howdy howdy howdy. We just crossed the border into Oklahoma from Arkansas, a state I have got to say I’d just as soon never see again. Gives me a creepy feeling. Also, their chicken fried steak is way too greasy. I may not eat for days. Just a couple more hours to Tulsa, Oklahoma, center of the universe.
We finished up at Lee University on Friday. We never did get a public forum or anything (note: Exodus Ministries, the definitely creepy ex-gay folks, got a whole day of fun a couple of weeks ago), but we did hold a song and prayer service outside the president’s office. It included sharing bread as a show of fellowship. A couple of us went out into the crowd and asked spectators if they would break bread with us. Two thirds of them said no. That was kind of the last straw in a couple of days of rejection and ignorance, so I returned to the hotel to make international phone calls rather than flip out and start throwing bibles and calling down the wrath of god or something.
Oh! I forgot! Thursday night our bus got defaced. Someone sprayed “fags-mobile” in pink across the side. Our bus driver saw the car driving away with an older woman and teenage boy inside; it looked like a mother and son. That was kind of traumatizing, but everyone’s okay. I’m sure it won’t be the last time.
Friday night some of us went to a movie: “V for Vendetta”. I would not recommend it, although the boys enjoyed it so maybe it’s a penis thing.
Yesterday was a decent day of driving toward Oklahoma. We stopped for an hour at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, to have a vigil. One of the Riders was kicked out of that school for being gay a couple of years ago. When we got to the edge of campus we were boarded and escorted by police to the absolute farthest corner of the athletic fields, where there was a pile of dirt, and told we could do our thing there. Admittedly we were allowed the free range of a couple of muddy soccer fields, but the symbolism was too perfect. “Here, gay kids, have some dirt and admire the view from here”. So of course we hopped right up on there and sang our songs and gave our little speeches. The school provided us with 40 box dinners, all ham sandwiches. Leviticus, anyone?
This morning as we drove through Memphis we stopped briefly at the motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was shot. It’s now the national civil rights museum. We didn’t go inside but took some pictures and had a moment at the place where he fell. Very cool.
Nothing else too exciting happening… we stayed in a very nice hotel last night. The room didn’t smell funny at all. It even had a whirlpool; Robin and I got up early this morning and enjoyed a relaxing soak. Funny things: I am the facilitator for the “liturgy committee” formed late last night, so organized a modified, mostly non-sectarian version of morning prayer for today. I think it went pretty well, although some might doubt the wisdom of putting a high church Anglican-Pagan in charge of services for an overwhelmingly Protestant and “other” bunch of folks. It’s gonna be hot.
By the way, because I’ve gotten some questions on it, I’d just like to make it clear that I have not hopped on the Jesus train bound for nowhere or something. Hanging out with the other Riders and at these schools has kind of forced me to become more articulate about things I’d previously kept to myself. When someone asks you in total honesty “So, what’s your relationship with God and how do you reconcile that with your sexuality?” you have to sort of do some reflecting, no? Also, singing “This Little Light of Mine” over and over (with new and exciting verses like “won’t let Pat Robertson put it out”) does have some sort of effect.
Another sidenote: if you haven’t figured it out, Robin and I are, you know, dating. As much as one can be said to be dating someone you spend 24/7 with. She’s adorable and lovely and smart and an excellent cuddle buddy. Even attending an Episcopal church and not a Yankee for once. We may have an interesting time in Dallas if she decides to tell her parents about me…
We’re spending this week in Oklahoma at Oral Roberts University and Oklahoma Baptist University. Should be interesting. Hopefully I’ll have better internet access and can keep y’all updated better. I have been receiving your personal emails, but haven’t had a moment to respond.
We finished up at Lee University on Friday. We never did get a public forum or anything (note: Exodus Ministries, the definitely creepy ex-gay folks, got a whole day of fun a couple of weeks ago), but we did hold a song and prayer service outside the president’s office. It included sharing bread as a show of fellowship. A couple of us went out into the crowd and asked spectators if they would break bread with us. Two thirds of them said no. That was kind of the last straw in a couple of days of rejection and ignorance, so I returned to the hotel to make international phone calls rather than flip out and start throwing bibles and calling down the wrath of god or something.
Oh! I forgot! Thursday night our bus got defaced. Someone sprayed “fags-mobile” in pink across the side. Our bus driver saw the car driving away with an older woman and teenage boy inside; it looked like a mother and son. That was kind of traumatizing, but everyone’s okay. I’m sure it won’t be the last time.
Friday night some of us went to a movie: “V for Vendetta”. I would not recommend it, although the boys enjoyed it so maybe it’s a penis thing.
Yesterday was a decent day of driving toward Oklahoma. We stopped for an hour at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, to have a vigil. One of the Riders was kicked out of that school for being gay a couple of years ago. When we got to the edge of campus we were boarded and escorted by police to the absolute farthest corner of the athletic fields, where there was a pile of dirt, and told we could do our thing there. Admittedly we were allowed the free range of a couple of muddy soccer fields, but the symbolism was too perfect. “Here, gay kids, have some dirt and admire the view from here”. So of course we hopped right up on there and sang our songs and gave our little speeches. The school provided us with 40 box dinners, all ham sandwiches. Leviticus, anyone?
This morning as we drove through Memphis we stopped briefly at the motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was shot. It’s now the national civil rights museum. We didn’t go inside but took some pictures and had a moment at the place where he fell. Very cool.
Nothing else too exciting happening… we stayed in a very nice hotel last night. The room didn’t smell funny at all. It even had a whirlpool; Robin and I got up early this morning and enjoyed a relaxing soak. Funny things: I am the facilitator for the “liturgy committee” formed late last night, so organized a modified, mostly non-sectarian version of morning prayer for today. I think it went pretty well, although some might doubt the wisdom of putting a high church Anglican-Pagan in charge of services for an overwhelmingly Protestant and “other” bunch of folks. It’s gonna be hot.
By the way, because I’ve gotten some questions on it, I’d just like to make it clear that I have not hopped on the Jesus train bound for nowhere or something. Hanging out with the other Riders and at these schools has kind of forced me to become more articulate about things I’d previously kept to myself. When someone asks you in total honesty “So, what’s your relationship with God and how do you reconcile that with your sexuality?” you have to sort of do some reflecting, no? Also, singing “This Little Light of Mine” over and over (with new and exciting verses like “won’t let Pat Robertson put it out”) does have some sort of effect.
Another sidenote: if you haven’t figured it out, Robin and I are, you know, dating. As much as one can be said to be dating someone you spend 24/7 with. She’s adorable and lovely and smart and an excellent cuddle buddy. Even attending an Episcopal church and not a Yankee for once. We may have an interesting time in Dallas if she decides to tell her parents about me…
We’re spending this week in Oklahoma at Oral Roberts University and Oklahoma Baptist University. Should be interesting. Hopefully I’ll have better internet access and can keep y’all updated better. I have been receiving your personal emails, but haven’t had a moment to respond.
posted by Di at 8:24 PM
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