support for one of my favorite people in the world...

During my first year in AmeriCorps I met a guy named Stuart. He was outgoing, friendly, funny and he seemed like a genuinely nice guy. We were on separate teams and our paths never seemed to cross that first year, but I knew that I wanted to be his friend.

Then my second year comes along and Stuart is hired at the last minute for a vacant support team leader position. This meant that we would both be living and working in Sacramento! Since he was hired late, he didn't go through the team leader training with the rest of the team leaders, but I told anyone who would listen that Stuart was a great guy and everyone would adore him. I was right, I think. Not only did everyone like him throughout the year, but we became good friends. Our shared love for pop culture, inappropriate jokes and being awesome spawned hundreds of memories and inside jokes. Knowing Stuart was one of the top five things about my second year in AmeriCorps and I consider myself very lucky to be counted as one of his friends.

Stuart is also my first good friend who is openly gay. I went to my first gay pride parade and festival with him in Sacramento. Through him, I was able to see more clearly the struggles that he and all homosexuals go through on a daily basis for equal rights in this country. If I had never known him, I would still support gay rights, but I know that because of him I will forever be an ally and friend for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer (LGBTQ) rights.

After we parted ways in Sacramento, Stu moved to Los Angeles and became very happy and comfortable there. Now, over a year later, he is embarking on a scary and exciting ride on the Soulforce Equality Ride. He basically explains what it is on his facebook page:

Since 2006, riders have jumped on a bus and traveled around the US making stops at colleges and universities with discriminatory policies and environments against LGBTQ people. At each stop, riders attempt to help open dialogue and spur community organizing around these issues to that all people - lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and straight - can know they are okay just as they are, and that they are not alone.

I know that at times this will be a scary endeavor as his group will not always be welcomed wherever there go. But I know that he has the strength and the will to fight for his beliefs and for what is right. I am so proud and excited for him and wish him more luck that than he can even imagine or handle.

I wish I could do more for him and his fellow equality riders, especially in the form of monetary support. Alas, I am also seeking donations for the "jenna doesn't have a job" fund. But, I know that some folks that read this blog would perhaps consider sponsoring Stuart and his cause. If you would like to learn more about Stuart and the equality ride, go to https://www.soulforce.org/stuart_brewster. You can also make a donation on this page. He will also be keeping a blog about this journey at http://equalitystu.blogspot.com (I have also added it to the right side of this blog under the section "hey! it's some blogs that i read!".

Stuart and I as STLs, Christmas 2007

Please keep Stuart and the Equality Ride in your thoughts, prayers and/or happy thoughts. And Stu, please remember two things: I love you and check your box :)