Soulforce visits PBAU and, predictably, arrests ensue

The Christian gay rights advocacy/ministry group Soulforce visited Palm Beach Atlantic University yesterday and, as I discussed last week, there were confrontations and arrests. And, once more, I can't figure out what PBAU is so scared of ...

On Monday morning, Soulforce members gathered on a public sidewalk along Okeechobee Boulevard next to PBAU's campus and the DeSantis Family Chapel.

As the chapel bell rang at 11 a.m., signaling the beginning of services, a handful of Soulforce members approached the entrance.

"We're giving you the opportunity to go back to the sidewalk," a police officer said. "If you choose to remain here, you will be arrested."

Soulforce members had previously decided who would go to jail, if it came to that.

[...]

Becky Goodlet, a 21-year-old PBAU student, said she was glad Soulforce visited campus.

"There are a lot of people who have been sheltered their whole life, and this is good for them to see," she said. "I don't know a whole lot about it either, and that's why I want to speak with them."

Six Soulforce members (two of whom are shown above, in police custody) were arrested -- for what reason? It's a shame students like Goodlet weren't permitted to interact with Soulforce so that they could learn -- you know, the reason universities like PBAU purportedly exist?

Well, I know, it's simple, really -- for fundies, for wingnuts, for the Bush crime syndicate, it boils down to message control. And that's even more reason to keep pushing for a more open-minded, Democratic majority and presidency beginning next January.

UPDATE: PBAU changes course, decides to let gay Christian group onto campus

About two weeks ago, I told you about Palm Beach Atlantic University's refusal to allow Soulforce, a national Christian gay rights group, visit its campus. Tonight comes word that the university has reconsidered its decision ... sort of:

Palm Beach Atlantic University officials reconsidered their initial ban of a gay students' rights group from campus, offering members a space for a few hours on Monday to meet with select students and staff from the private Christian school.

But the group, called Soulforce, said the invitation is too restrictive and that members plan to walk onto PBAU's downtown West Palm Beach campus at noon hoping to conduct a more open forum.

"Unfortunately, the format is not conducive to reaching out to the Palm Beach Atlantic community in the spirit of open dialogue," a statement released by Soulforce today said in reference to PBAU's offer.

"Additionally, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students who need to hear our message of love and affirmation would not be reached in this format."

Looks to me like the classic right-wing tactic of doing just enough to appear to be open-minded, yet still controlling the playing field in every meaningful way. The point of Soulforce's visit is to minister to GLBT students, not just to meet with "pre-selected" students and staff.

Moreover, PBAU may have opened up a legal can of worms here, I think. If they stuck with their original decision to refuse access outright, they could rest quite easily on their status as a private university and the accompanying right to permit access to whomever they please. However, by granting limited access in this way, I think they've opened themselves up to a First Amendment challenge: if you give Soulforce access, you've got to allow them to deliver their message.

Granted, it's been a long time since I studied First Amendment law, and PBAU's private status may trump free speech objections anyway. But this wishy-washy response might create additional problems, if it's determined that, once they permit access, the university must provide a complete forum free from obstructions or parameters.

Ultimately, though, at bottom, you have to ask: what is PBAU so afraid of anyway?

This is Soulforce's third annual "Equality Ride," although Monday will be its first visit to a Florida school. This year's ride includes 17 young adults who travel in a tour bus and have been trained in non-violent resistance and how to speak with students who have different religious beliefs.

Soulforce members are known for challenging school administrators with attempts to go on private campuses, and past tours have resulted in trespassing arrests.

Soulforce is scheduled to arrive on PBAU's West Palm Beach campus at 10:00 a.m. on Monday morning. This could be a very interesting confrontation. Stay tuned ...

(cross-posted at Pax Americana)

When fundies attack: PBAU denies access to gay Christian group

As a private institution, Palm Beach Atlantic University pretty much can do whatever they want. I realize this. But we ought to be aware that this institution openly discriminates against the GLBT community.

A national Christian gay rights group called Soulforce has been planning visits to a number of religious and evangelical universities, including the notorious Liberty University, Jerry Falwell's creation. Like Liberty, PBAU says no way.

PBAU officials last week rejected a request from the 10-year-old group to visit their campus, saying that after careful consideration the visit would not "meaningfully further the mission of either organization."

Soulforce, which supports gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality, is coming anyway.

The group delivers its message through "relentless nonviolent resistance," and its members have been arrested for trespassing during visits to schools in other states after treading on private campuses without permission.

Although it's unclear whether Soulforce will try to get onto PBAU's campus or meet with students at another location, its request to talk about religion and homosexuality already has spurred discussion at the school, where same-sex relationships are considered immoral and contradictory to biblical standards.

Jarrett Lucas, co-director of Soulforce's college "equality ride," said several PBAU students have contacted him saying they are willing to talk.

"It's always heartbreaking to hear the student body express the desire to speak with us and then have the administration say they can't," Lucas said.

Comments on a PBAU student blog vary, but several fear their school will be perceived as intolerant or radically religious by refusing to offer Soulforce a forum.

"How we 'should' respond won't affect anything, really. Some people will be nice to them, some will ignore them. Hopefully, no one will be hateful toward them, but you never know," wrote one student.

PBAU senior Hannah Mitchell said school administrators were open with students about Soulforce's request. She believes they made the right decision.

"I appreciate that the university looked into this matter, thoroughly researched it and then presented both the student body and the Soulforce team with an answer," Mitchell said. "I am not against the homosexual lifestyle; I have many friends that are engaged in that activity and the Bible says that no sin is better or worse in the eyes of God. However, although I would never condemn that behavior, you also have to be careful that you do not condone it."

PBAU spokeswoman Becky Peeling said a committee of faculty and staff made the recommendation against allowing the group on campus.

Besides PBAU's differing beliefs about homosexuality, other campus events already were scheduled for the days Soulforce plans to visit - Oct. 13-14.

"We agree people should not be harassed at all, but we differ with them when we get into the acceptance of homosexual behavior," Peeling said. "Frankly, part of our issue has also been timing."

It's mighty convenient to rest on "timing" when banning groups from campus, isn't it?

Again, I acknowledge that PBAU, Liberty, and their ilk have control over who can visit their campuses and what messages are delivered there. Naturally, though, I reject the contention that the GLBT lifestyle is "immoral," and I'm offended by these universities' decisions to ostracize members of their own communities by treating them like lepers.

PBAU had a chance to open lines of communication and allow both their own students and Soulforce to educate each other about different perspectives. But, of course, opening up to different viewpoints is the exact opposite of what the evangelical community tries to do. Indeed, they work hard to suppress individuality and encourage repression of natural beliefs and feelings, lest their indoctrination methods be compromised. Good for Soulforce to come to the area anyway -- I hope they are able to get their message out to as many PBAU students and constituents as possible through their method of "relentless nonviolent resistance."

Yes, PBAU has the right to bar Soulforce from campus. But that doesn't make it right.

UPDATE (9:17 pm 10/8/08): PBAU has relented in part, but Soulforce says the conditions are still too restrictive.

(cross-posted at Pax Americana)