To the Editors:

Last week I had the privilege of traveling to the United Methodist General Conference in Pittsburgh with six other Oberlin students.

We went, joining a national organization called Soulforce to stand vigil at the Conference, calling for an end to the spiritual violence directed against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

As a Christian, the experience was powerful for me in two very different ways. First, it was a painful and very real reminder that the church hurts, wounds and abuses LGBT people.

On the other hand, many of the Methodist delegates who walked by us thanked us over and over again for our presence, stating that they would never stop working for justice and wishing us strength.

One woman shook each of our hands whenever she walked by us and many pastors joined in our vigils and actions. To stand side by side with spiritual people from all over the country, witnessing peacefully this injustice gave me a real sense of hope.

–Beth Peachey
Conservatory sophomore