GLBT, Christian groups chalk it out
Originally published in the Park University Stylus, Nov. 2011.
By Andi Enns
Two days after the gay-straight alliance Spectrum chalked statistics about GLBT suicide and inspirational messages from the You Are Loved project, new Christian group Aftershock allegedly chalked Bible verses and religious messages over Spectrum’s. Aftershock’s president and adviser both declined to be interviewed regarding the situation, but released a statement on Wednesday.
“Aftershock would like to formally apologize if our sidewalk chalking on campus two weeks ago offended anyone,” stated Ceanne Maxey, president of Aftershock, according to a Facebook message to the Stylus from their adviser, Shaun Pfannensteil. “The chalking was not done out of hatred, malice, or ill-intent. The purpose of Aftershock was to spread the message of hope and love that can be found through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”
Since the incident, Aftershock has temporarily disbanded, and will not meet again for the rest of the semester. Their official Facebook page has disappeared from search results, implying it has been disabled or deleted.
“Our messages were part of the national Ally Week awareness holiday,” said Ashley Allee, president of Spectrum. “And when Aftershock chalked verses from Revelations and other religious messages over our chalk, it sent the message that LGBT youth should turn to religion instead of coming out. Like being gay is something to overcome. They turned it into a political issue, when it shouldn’t have been.”
Allee said in their personal communication, Maxey claimed that Spectrum’s messages were washed away and Aftershock believed they could chalk their own outreach.
“It had rained,” said Allee, “but our messages were still clearly visible. You could still read them. The rain didn’t make much difference.”
Spectrum is considered a social group, said Allee, not a political activism group. She said she feels GLBT youth suicide rates are not a political issue, but a social one.
“They chalked ‘Jesus saves’ over our ‘allies save lives’ message,” said Allee. “Tell me how that’s not political.”
She said she found the Bible verse Revelations 21:7, "He who overcomes will inherit all this…”, over a chalked statistic near Thompson Commons. This verse is commonly cited in anti-gay Christian movements.
Allee said she was shocked and angry to find Aftershock’s messages on top of Spectrum’s all over campus, including in front of Copley Quad and Thompson Commons.
“There are GLBT youth dying every day because they aren’t accepted by their communities,” said Allee. “It’s really hurtful to have that happen here at Park.”
By Andi Enns
Two days after the gay-straight alliance Spectrum chalked statistics about GLBT suicide and inspirational messages from the You Are Loved project, new Christian group Aftershock allegedly chalked Bible verses and religious messages over Spectrum’s. Aftershock’s president and adviser both declined to be interviewed regarding the situation, but released a statement on Wednesday.
“Aftershock would like to formally apologize if our sidewalk chalking on campus two weeks ago offended anyone,” stated Ceanne Maxey, president of Aftershock, according to a Facebook message to the Stylus from their adviser, Shaun Pfannensteil. “The chalking was not done out of hatred, malice, or ill-intent. The purpose of Aftershock was to spread the message of hope and love that can be found through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”
Since the incident, Aftershock has temporarily disbanded, and will not meet again for the rest of the semester. Their official Facebook page has disappeared from search results, implying it has been disabled or deleted.
“Our messages were part of the national Ally Week awareness holiday,” said Ashley Allee, president of Spectrum. “And when Aftershock chalked verses from Revelations and other religious messages over our chalk, it sent the message that LGBT youth should turn to religion instead of coming out. Like being gay is something to overcome. They turned it into a political issue, when it shouldn’t have been.”
Allee said in their personal communication, Maxey claimed that Spectrum’s messages were washed away and Aftershock believed they could chalk their own outreach.
“It had rained,” said Allee, “but our messages were still clearly visible. You could still read them. The rain didn’t make much difference.”
Spectrum is considered a social group, said Allee, not a political activism group. She said she feels GLBT youth suicide rates are not a political issue, but a social one.
“They chalked ‘Jesus saves’ over our ‘allies save lives’ message,” said Allee. “Tell me how that’s not political.”
She said she found the Bible verse Revelations 21:7, "He who overcomes will inherit all this…”, over a chalked statistic near Thompson Commons. This verse is commonly cited in anti-gay Christian movements.
Allee said she was shocked and angry to find Aftershock’s messages on top of Spectrum’s all over campus, including in front of Copley Quad and Thompson Commons.
“There are GLBT youth dying every day because they aren’t accepted by their communities,” said Allee. “It’s really hurtful to have that happen here at Park.”
