Soulforce has come and gone, and BYU students welcomed them with respect. In fact, BYU students were so nice that the Equality Riders had to try and make their own news.
On Monday, April 10, 2006, several members of the gay-rights group just stood around and talked to students. There were no altercations; just quiet, respectful discussion. Five equality riders were peacefully escorted off of campus when they tried to make public speeches, but it was all planned. They knew beforehand what they could and couldn’t do, and chose to violate the rules BYU had laid down. They needed something to put on their Web site, after all, to illustrate just how repressive the university and the church are. The group’s actions on Tuesday (April 11) were more of the same.
Not all was perfect about Soulforce’s reception, of course. Campus security guards hanging around in dark suits with secret-service-like earpieces, for example, just gave Soulforce more reason to believe their own rhetoric. The students, however, were friendly and attentive, even when disagreeing. That’s what is really important. As such, the group’s visit to campus was no more than a self-made blip on the news radar. And that’s how it should have been.
Students’ reactions to the Equality Riders proves wrong their claim that “Latter-day Saints policies are killing gay people.” As far as we know, every one of them left here alive and unharmed, both physically and emotionally. And if that wasn’t the case, any type of pain was self-inflicted.
BYU administrators did well to let the Equality Riders come on campus and talk with students. Many appreciated their discourse, and the university showed that all are welcome here, as long as they agree to follow established guidelines.
The Soulforce members who spoke with students should also be praised for their civility while talking with students. For the most part, they were non-confrontational and kind, and that is appreciated. It might be difficult to say the same thing about their Web site, though. Instead of focusing on students’ kindness to them, the news release regarding their visit speaks mostly of their “arrests” – which were in reality mere citations, and choreographed at that.
So good job, BYU students, for practicing what you preach. It is that kind of respect and friendly discussion that will show the world how Latter-day Saints really feel about the sensitive topic of homosexuality.
