Do Justice: One at a time

Five years ago I was cited for trespassing at the University of Notre Dame and barred for life from returning to any property owned by the university on penalty of arrest.

My infraction?

I spoke with Daniel, a student at Notre Dame, and gave him more information about LGBT-affirming events planned in his community.

That student came to a dinner that night that the Equality Ride was hosting at a local church. He came to our film screening and discussion at a local community center the next day. Before our bus pulled out the morning after, he stopped by our hotel lobby with band t-shirts to give us.

Daniel is from Los Angeles. I met up with him a few years later, when we were both back in Los Angeles. He’s come out to all his friends and family. He started going back to church again. A joy and contentment radiated from him that had only been started to peek out when I first met him.

I asked recently, does any of this matter?

Yes. It matters to Daniel.

The cost might seem high, but if a young student can learn to love theirself, I would risk arrest all over again.

Have you planted seeds that came to fruition (in small or grand ways)? Would you consider sharing with me?

P.S. The Equality Ride helped Daniel, and countless other LGBT students, find love and affirmation. It empowered countless more straight, cisgender students and faculty to become vocal allies and advocates. And it even caused some schools to modify their policies. That’s why I am supporting the 2012 Equality Ride. If you’d like, you can join me.