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Support GayOKC.com! Donate here!		Paul Barby on this morning's Soulforce vigil

Soulforce vigilers on a very cold, windy first Sunday morning in January outside the Village Baptist Church (that's former OU GLBTF political chair Kent Doss 3rd from left). Photo by Victor Gorin

The follwing is an email from Paul Barby
(Posted 01-06-02)

. . . I attended both the training Saturday afternoon in the Ledo room at
the Habana and was part of the vigil at Village Baptist Church that
commenced at 7:30 a.m. this (Sunday) morning and concluded after church
services ended about 12:30 p.m. The group of 47 or so, may have been more
than 50 total with some coming and going during the morning, conducted a
silent vigil in a line on the sidewalk along the parking lot across from the
"welcome" entrance to the church. Both sides were very respectful, those in
the vigil singing various songs softly as the congregants walked past into
the church.   There were very few direct contacts with individuals, most
trying to ignore our presence as they went in. Several different times, men
(presumed to be deacons) came out with hot coffee for us, passing down the
line with pleasant greetings.

As the congregants left after services they were more responsive, no
discussions with two or three exceptions and then not harsh, but "good
morning's" and "hello's" from the majority or a nod or a wave from their
cars as they drove out of the parking lot.   It was most interesting to
observe the children, who fearful of what was happening as they came in,
making more eye contact and quite interesting to me, was watching the
children in the cars, obviously asking parents questions about us, as they
drove by. I could hear the "why's" after each answer they got!   It was a
good feeling to be part of this.

Now, let me be very direct and blunt about what the Soulforce vigil is about
for glbt persons in my opinion.   Many of us, myself included have little or
no use for "religion." A number of you reading this think that these vigils
are about religion and since you reject "religion," you want no part of it.
Think about this again. This is about what "religion" is doing to us. It
is about starting dialogue with the very source of the discrimination and
hatred directed at us. We must show these people who we are. They do not
know us.

This vigil this morning was an opportunity for many to see us as regular
people who are just as human as they are. I believe it was effective.
These vigils will continue on the first Sunday of each month through June or
earlier if that church agrees to enter into dialogue with us to get to know
who GLBT people are. This is not about debating scripture or praying over
each other . . . it is about getting to know each other. I urge each one of
you to take part in the vigil Sunday, February 2. You do not have to be
religious to participate. You do need to recognize that the teachings of
certain religious groups are killing us literally. This vigil is in the
spirit of Ghandi and King. Join us on February 2.

Paula and Kevin Brown attended the press conference. Watch for her article
in the next Gayly. It should be most interesting, gauging the interviews I
overheard.

Although many of the 50+ participating in the vigil were from OKC, there
were a number from Tulsa and some wonderful people from Texas and Kentucky.
I personally thank everyone who was there. It was cold at 7:30 this
morning!!!! But there we were, standing quietly, wearing our Soulforce
T-shirts over layered thermals and sweaters. That T-Shirt has a big red
stop sign and a powerful message on the back: "Stop spiritual violence
against God's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Children
www.soulforce.org ." The 20' banner we held in front of the church for the
whole morning said, "Southern Baptist teachings are killing our gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender children. Stop spiritual violence." Sure
made those driving by crane their necks to read it. Some honked and waved.
Interesting morning!

To repeat my blunt statement: You need to participate. This is our Rosa
Parks event, our march to Birmingham, if you will. This is not about
religion; it is about bigotry taught by religion to people who do not know
us. They must get to know us. Soulforce, like Ghandi and King, is
effective in it's use of gentle yet powerful persuasion. Come for the
training on Saturday, February 1, and then join us in the vigil February 2.

Paul Barby

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