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During this one-on-one exchange, Soulforcers agreed, the real work of changing hearts and minds took place. The idea that homophobia can only be erased by having fearful or ignorant straight people get to know real live homosexuals and see them as plain old people is a central tenet behind much gay and lesbian organizing.

For Brian Randall, a 30-year-old gay Soulforce delegate and Liberty graduate, it was a deep and complicated homecoming. After his evangelical fundamentalist parents shuttled him into deprogramming at ex-gay ministry Exodus, Randall spent four closeted years at Liberty, living in fear that his secret would be revealed, his scholarship cut off and his parents humiliated.

Randall said Falwell told him that he loved him and extended an invitation to come back to Liberty anytime.

"There were things that disappointed me about the weekend, but I had to put them in the perspective that this has never happened before, that I've been invited back to my alma mater as an openly gay man, that I could sit down with Dr. Falwell and have him say, I'm sorry, I was wrong."

But Randall also expressed some doubt about the historic meeting's impact. "This did not end on Saturday night or Sunday morning. This is my family. These are my roots. I fully expect Dr. Falwell to return to this kind of language. This time we were here for negotiation and if it happens again, it will be for direct action. I can forgive, but I can't forget."
salon.com | Oct. 25, 1999

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