Soulforce Q
Equality Riders, an organization of young adults crusading
for LGBT student rights, were barred from entering a public
concert at First Baptist Church in Jackson, Tenn., on
Tuesday, as they attempted to listen to a Union
University choral performance. Police, university
security, and a church pastor told members they "were
unwelcome" and must leave immediately.
"I was
shocked that a church would prevent us from coming to a
concert, especially when we had been invited by some
of the performers. It was painful and disheartening to
see that a Christ-centered community would not even
allow us to enter its doors," Nick Savelli, an
Equality Rider from Tampa, Fla., said.
Riders, who had
hoped to simply "attend and listen" to the
Union concert, took their frustration to the street in
silent vigil. With candles in hand, riders were told
again that they were not allowed to stand in the area.
"The fact
that we were being denied the right to stand on a public
property because First Baptist didn't want us there
was a clear breach of our right to assemble,"
Katie Higgins, Soulforce Q Equality Ride codirector,
said.
Riders eventually
were allowed to remain on a grassy plot near one of the
church entrances, where they held a candlelight vigil.
(Kandice Day, The Advocate)
Charlie Kirk DID say stoning gay people was the 'perfect law' — and these other heinous quotes