Life rolls on for Azariah Southworth.
Southworth became a very public figure in April after he came out of the closet, a brave move for the host of a Christian kidâs show. Though lifeâs been hectic over the past few months, this Nashville-based boy remains committed to the Bible and is proving it by joining Soulforce Q on a six-week tour across the United States.
Southworth gushes:
Iâm so excited to be a part of a passionate and young group, working towards equal rights for GLBT students at these Christian colleges. It will be a life changing experience for me, Iâm excited to learn each of their stories. I know we will be greeted with hostility at some campuses and arrested if we enter onto their property, but it will be worth it. Their policies of discrimination must end. Iâm excited to be a part of something which is beginning the end of these policies.
Soulforce, for those of you who donât know, is a gang of roving, religious gays who visit homophobic universities to open dialogue on discrimination. And, hopefully, give a human face to the homos. Jesus, weâre sure, would approve. He loved a good college tour.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Hereâs the full press release:
Christian TV Host Joins Equality Ride for Gays
Recently âoutedâ Azariah Southworth invited to join Equality Ride this Fall
Nashville, TN (July 2, 2008) â Azariah Southworth, recently outed Christian TV host of a popular Christian program joins Soulforce on their annual Equality Ride this fall.
Southworth comments, âIâm so excited to be a part of a passionate and young group, working towards equal rights for GLBT students at these Christian colleges. It will be a life changing experience for me, Iâm excited to learn each of their stories. I know we will be greeted with hostility at some campuses and arrested if we enter onto their property, but it will be worth it. Their policies of discrimination must end. Iâm excited to be a part of something which is beginning the end of these policies.â
Equality Ride is a annual six week tour with GLBT and straight students who peacefully protest. The âRidersâ offer Christian collegeâs that expel students and fire staff for being gay open dialogue to discuss the issue of homosexuality and the Bible, many colleges decline to participate.
Azariah Southworth has already had a year full of life changing experiences. Southworth hosted a popular Christian TV show until coming out to the media as gay on April 16, 2008. After his âcoming outâ made national news on Fox News, HuffingtonPost.com, PerezHilton.com and many others, Southworth was diagnosed with a rare tumor a month later.
âIt has definitely been a very challenging time in my life. Dealing with the attention of âcoming outâ, new projects, speaking engagements, the tumor, moving to L.A., etc. Iâm ready now to do something worthwhile and exciting like, Equality Ride.â says Southworth.
For more information on the Equality Ride visit, www.equalityride.com.
Jordan
Soulforce kids aren’t all religious. In fact, many are either agnostic or atheist. The point is more of an open non-threatening discussion about religion and spirituality and more specifically the Bible.
From what I know about Soulforce is that they make a pretty great impact on the communities surrounding the religious schools even if they aren’t invited in.
fredo777
That shot of him is adorable.
Willie Hewes
You rock Azariah! And I love your name. Also, the photo.
Evan
He’s a sweetheart.
By the way, the tumor was benign.
đ
CHURCHILL-Y
Good Looks, the heart and the conscience and character to boot! If I didn’t have mine already:)
So glad to know that about the tumor,I wish him the best. We most def need more dignified and courageous men like Southworth in our community.
He makes me so proud. đ