FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, Feb. 17, 2012 CONTACT: Heather Cronk, Luna Media Group heather@lunamediagroup.

com or 202-491-7240 (cell)

Soulforce Equality Ride Announces 2012 Riders; One of 15 from Ann Arbor
Fifth Ride of Nationwide Social Justice Bus Tour Selects Riders to Confront LGBTQ Oppression, Organize Community Outreach
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN Today, Soulfource a non-profit organization committed to the freedom of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people from political and spiritual oppression announced this years Equality Riders, a team of young activists who will embark on a two-month cross-county bus tour. Jason Conner, 27, and J. Mason, 27, will lead the Riders as co-directors during the organizations fifth tour from Philadelphia to San Francisco to reach out to communities and confront LGBTQ oppression at colleges with discriminatory policies. Bethany Meier from Ann Arbor, Mich., along with 14 other advocates, will join Conner and Mason on the 2012 Equality Ride. Meier is a graduate student of women and gender studies at Eastern Michigan University and is currently writing her thesis on inclusivity for LGBTQ persons in the Christian church. She is honored to be involved in this years Ride and believes that it will begin to build bridges between the religious and LGBTQ communities. I am a Christian, and my relationship with God is very important to me. I also am a lesbian. I have heard so many people claim that these two identities cannot exist together. However, I have never felt more comfortable with my sexual orientation than I do now that I have come to accept myself as both queer and Christian, and I want to spread this message of love to as many people as I can. If one gay student at one of these colleges feels less alone because of our visit, then this Ride is worth it. If one heterosexual person who has never met a member of the queer community before can meet us and understand that the LGBTQ persons are just as worthy of human dignity, respect and love then this Ride is worth it, said Meier. Over the past month, the Equality Riders trained in nonviolent resistance and community service in preparation of the tour ahead. Soulforce will announce more details on the 2012 Equality Ride in the coming weeks leading up to the launch on March 4, 2012. To speak with one of the 2012 Soulforce Equality Riders, please contact Heather Cronk at 202-4917240 or heather@lunamediagroup.com. ### Soulforces purpose is freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance. For more information, go to www.equalityride.com or www.soulforce.org. Like Soulforce on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/SoulforceOrganization, or follow the organization on Twitter at @soulforceorg.