Palm Beach Atlantic turns down gay rights group's request for visit

WEST PALM BEACH — A national gay students' rights group is making its inaugural trip to Florida next month to preach tolerance in places where homosexuality is not just considered a sin, but also a violation of the student code of conduct.

The organization, called Soulforce, plans to visit 15 mostly Christian colleges and universities around the South. Palm Beach Atlantic University in downtown West Palm Beach is the only Florida school on Soulforce's schedule.

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.

See Palm Beach Atlantic turns down gay rights group's request for visit
Palm Beach Post,  United States