Thirty five members of Soulforce walked in pairs on morning dew of Kiwanis Park at 10 a.m.

Kourt Osborn, an excommunicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, led the group with his mother, Karel Allen, by his side. In Osborn's hands was a mahogany box with a single lily placed on top.

Ten minutes later, the group reached the botany pond on 800 North and grew to about 50 marchers.

"That's private," Matt Kulisch said, as he points to the grass belonging to Brigham Young University. "This is public."

Kulisch, former BYU student, is a co-coordinator of the Soulforce Equality Ride, a gay rights group that visits universities they deem "homophobic."

Last year's Soulforce visit to BYU resulted in 24 arrests and Kulisch's probation. This year's visit was much less controversial -- only two citations were given for trespassing when a boy and his mother attempted to walk onto campus.

The group gathered at the botany pond had been told they would not be allowed onto campus property, and so they walked the 3.2 mile perimeter of campus, for about 6 hours, a total of 16 miles for some.

Carole Miller, a Utah mother of a 27-year-old gay man, linked arms with Will Carlson, whom she just met. The two, though not members of Soulforce, marched with them in support of gay rights.

"I've raised my kids to be law-abiding, tax-paying, honest citizens," Miller said. "My son deserves every right that other law-abiding citizens receive."

"I'm marching for gay and lesbian Cougars that can't," Carlson said.

Marching along University Avenue, the group was quiet, and so was Provo. No honks, no picketing, no yelling.

As the group approached the corner of Bulldog Boulevard and Canyon Road, two Soulforce members sang a Hindu peace chant, "Om Shanti." A slew of media awaited them. Reporters expecting a debacle like last year were left with a quiet demonstration.

BYU police officers awaited the group on every corner, with several videotaping the proceedings.

The official Soulforce news conference occurred on campus, on a small grassy knoll in front of the large BYU signs declaring, "Enter to Learn, Go forth to serve."

A chalk line was drawn to designate where the university's property began. Police officers with arms crossed were on call if Soulforce decided to enter.

A teary-eyed Osborn addressed a cluster of inquisitive reporters about the box he held: "In this box is a list of concerns and grievances about BYU's policies. We are here today to make sure their voices are heard."

Osborn said the 55-page document was complied by both current and past students.

Holding hands with Osborn and his mom, Kulisch offered a prayer, addressing his Heavenly Father, as he was raised to do.

"We ask thee to stand with us as we assert that LGBT students who stand out on this campus suffer," Kulisch said.

Other Soulforce members rested their hands on Kulisch's shoulder as he prayed.

And then the only real event -- just before noon, Osborn and his mother walked a mere 10 steps onto university property to deliver the box and were stopped by BYU police officer Norm Soakai and escorted into a white van.

"They were issued citations for trespassing," said BYU police chief Larry Stott. "They will be escorted to their motel and released."

After the commotion subsided, the remaining riders continued to walk the perimeter of campus, starting a dialogue with students if possible. At 3:53 p.m., with seven minutes left in Soulforce's planned walk, Mike Cramer, BYU alumnus, was walking his fifth lap with six other equality riders.

"It's more difficult to engage in conversation when you're walking on the outside of campus," Cramer said. "But we'll take dialogue wherever we can get it."

Kate McNeil can be reached at 344-2549 or kmcneil@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.