Honored by the “powers that be”

by Matt | April 16th, 2007 |

This past weekend, the Equality Ride Eastbound took a pit-stop in New York City for a Saturday evening fundraiser. What we received there was a wonderful, open and affirming community.

We also received many great honors, from city, state and national representatives.

First was a proclamation from the New York City Council and then a proclamation from the New York Senate. We also received a copy of text which will be inserted into the Congressional Record today by Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY). It really was great to be honored by these elected officials, especially considering that the last time we received any official papers from a government agency was one which attempted to strip away our Constitutionally protected rights.

You can check out some good photos from the fundraiser here. I’ve also got some up in this past post, including one with fellow blogging buddy KipEsquire (www.kipesquire.com); it really was quite nice to meet Kip in person, face-to-face. It isn’t so often that I get to meet many of the folks I know through the internet and the blogosphere. We had some great conversation regarding politics, law, the Equality Ride and “the City.” We also chatted just a bit about Edwards.

Here are the texts of the New York City Council proclamation and the text from Rep. Nadler.

The Council of the City of New York

PROCLAMATION

Whereas: The Council of the City of New York is pleased and proud to honor Soulforce on the occasion of its 2nd Annual Equality Ride; and

Whereas: It is the tradition and custom of the New York City Council to honor those individuals and organizations that have enriched us with their contributions, and today we are delighted to recognize the brave participants of the Soulforce Equality Ride for their tireless devotion to the fight against homophobia; and

Whereas: The purpose of the Soulforce Equality Ride is to travel to various religious colleges and engage the students, faculty and administrators in a conversation about the damaging effects of homophobic doctrine; and

Whereas: We proudly celebrate the 50 young adults who have dedicated two months of their lives, traveled thousands of miles, and visited a total of 32 colleges and universities around the country in the pursuit of social justice as it pertains to freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from religious and political oppression; and

Whereas: The participants of the Soulforce Equality Ride will pursue their goal through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance; and

Whereas: Homophobia is globally pervasive and no country state, city, community or school escapes its reach. We recognize the damaging effects of homophobic doctrine – the false notions that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender identities are sick and sinful – and we applaud these participants and their supporters who have waged a campaign of truth in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi; and

Whereas: We embrace the spirit of the Soulforce Equality Ride and its empowered participants, who have changed countless lives, created an environment of understanding, and liberated the oppressed; and

Whereas: It is with profound gratitude that we recognize the participants of the Soulforce Equality Ride for all they have done on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people throughout our nation. Their passionate advocacy is instructive and they are worthy of the esteem of all New Yorkers; now, therefore

Be it known: That the Council of the City of New York honors Soulforce and recognizes the exceptional service of the 2007 Equality Ride participants.

Signed this 14th day of April in the year Two Thousand and Seven

Christine C. Quinn, Speaker - For the Entire Council

Rosie Mendez, Council Member 2nd District, Manhattan

_____________________________________________________

Congressional Record
MONDAY, APRIL 16, 2007
House of Representatives

The Equality Ride

Hon. Jerrold L. Nadler
of New York
in the House of Representatives

Madame Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an extraordinary group of young adults - - The Equality Riders - - who have dedicated two months of their lives traveling thousands of miles, visiting 32 colleges and universities around the country and talking to countless students, faculty members and staff in pursuit of social justice.

The spirit of The Equality Ride was born out of the recognition that homophobia is globally pervasive and that no country, state, city, community or school escapes its reach. The Equality Ride offers a unique opportunity for student activists to dedicate their time and energy in the pursuit of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered equality through the practice of nonviolent resistance and educational campaigns.

I embrace the spirit of The Equality Ride and these leaders in the fight for social justice. The participants of the Equality Ride as well as its supporters have changed numerous lives, raised awareness and challenged notions regarding homosexuality through both on and off campus activities.

While conducting their work on the various campuses, riders confront some of their harshest critics and engage in structured dialogue with the academic community through classroom presentations, panel discussions, school-wide forums and film screenings as well as informal interactions. Outside of the college and university campuses, communities have welcomed the riders to share in worship, potlucks, fundraisers and meetings.

I applaud these riders and their supporters who have tirelessly waged a campaign of truth based on the nonviolent practices of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi to end the cycle of fear and misunderstanding that causes this vicious form of prejudice. As the Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, it is my great honor to pay tribute to these visionary young people and congratulate them on their courage, determination and dedication.

Technorati Tags: Soulforce, Equality Ride, Jerrold Nadler, Congress, Rosie Mendez, Christine Quinn, New York City, New York

Posted in Soulforce/Equality Ride |