Seven Straight Nights and an appeal for AIDS Walk Austin

cross-posted at Burnt Orange Report and Texas Kaos

Today is the mid-point for Seven Straight Nights, a national event that is providing straight Americans with opportunities to do justice and motivate new allies to stand up and be counted for equal rights. This is an action of Atticus Circle and Soulforce. It consists of a coordinated campaign of overnight vigils led by straight allies, sweeping across capital cities throughout the nation during the week of October 7 - 13, 2007, gaining momentum in the national media as more states participate in the event.

More on Seven Straight Nights and an appeal for AIDS Walk Austin below the fold:

Tonight is the vigil in Austin, and it was already on the news this morning. So if you are in the Austin area, join us at the Capitol this evening, any time from 6pm on. If you're wondering what this is about, here's some info from their website: Most Americans share the deeply held belief that all people are created equal, and thus, all people should be treated equally. Many Americans do not realize that millions of partners, parents and children in this country are in fact not being treated equally. How discrimination harms LGBT partners, parents and their children is simply not on people's radar. The action will educate people by confronting homophobia and changing minds and attitudes with accurate information. Find (or create) a vigil near you:
http://www.sevenstraightnights.org/...

And now, about AIDS Walk Austin. The event is on Oct. 28. That's a little over 2 weeks. They have raised 30% of their goal. This is not good news. At the end of the AIDS Ride a couple of years ago, I was interviewed by the local paper, and I paraphrased that bumper sticker we've all seen: "Some day, AIDS agencies will have all the money they need and the Air Force will have to have a bake sale to buy a bomber." But for now, the shoe is on the other foot, and AIDS agencies need you. Here is why you, yes, you should give to this cause, or the AIDS agencies in your area.

When talking about the AIDS crisis in Africa, Bono frequently uses the metaphor of your neighbor's house being on fire. I think it equally applies to AIDS agencies here in the US. There are people who live down the street from you who are in desperate need of your help. Really. Down the block from you, I am absolutely certain, is someone whose life is affected by HIV. I know many people who are HIV+, because I do the Walk every fall & the Hill Country Ride for AIDS every spring. (Yes, I will be posting diaries for that event starting around February) But I never knew how many people's lives are touched by this disease until I raised my fundraising goals & started asking absolutely everyone I know to contribute. Brothers, sons, uncles, old friends long gone....... And all of these HIV+ people need the services of places like AIDS Services of Austin and the other beneficiary agencies. I don't know what happens if they don't meet their fundraising goal. I do know that I don't want to find out. I'm putting the link to my fundraising page here, but you don't have to donate through me. Use that link & click on "home" and from there, you can make a general donation, if you want. The money all goes to the same place. (I'm not saying that I don't care if I make my goal or not - I'm not that unselfish, but the money does all go to the same place. What do I get for making my goal? Last year, they had special t-shirts made for people who raised over $1,000, but mostly I get the accomplishment of having raised that much money for a cause that I care passionately about. T-shirts are nice, but I've got 20 years' worth of 'em. And what I really want is for my friends who need their services to get their services.)

Another thing Bono says (yes, I am rather fond of him) is that it's exciting to be part of a generation that actually says, no, that this isn't going to happen any more (paraphrasing - from his interview with Oprah, and yes, I have the citation if you really insist) So, whaddya say? Please help if you can.

http://aidsa.convio.net/...