In case ya'll haven't heard, Atticus Circle and Soulforce are spearheading a campaign to stage vigils around the country for straight people to demonstrate for equal rights, regardless of a person's sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. The idea is to have straight folks in each state hold a vigil on one night between October 7-13 to demonstrate for LGBT equality.
As you can imagine, it's one thing to have LGBT folks stand up and be counted. It's another to have STRAIGHT people demonstrate for equality. It's harder to pigeon hole, dismiss, or ignore people when they are lobbying for someone else's equality. And when people in the majority start demonstrating for a minority population politicians tend to get nervous.
If you've been looking for yet another way to piss off the religious right, this may be it. If you want to show support for your LGBT friends and family, this may be it. If you're just so damned tired of right wingers using fear and hate as wedge issues and to motivate their base, this is your opportunity.
Seven Straight Nigts
More below the jump.
We're not just struggling for marriage, either, we want the whole ball of wax. Equal rights include the right to act as a foster parent, adopt a child, visit your partner in the hospital, keep your job without fear of being fired because of who you choose to love, be free from the fear of hate crimes, attend school without fear of being bullied because of who you are, harrassed, or worse. You get the idea. And while some states have pretty good laws on the books, folks in other states, (like here in Texas) are at the pointy end of the spear. We have got to do something to shift the debate.
So far, there are Seven Straight Night vigils scheduled in 24 cities across 20 states. That's a great showing, but wouldn't it be even better if we got folks to hold vigils in all 50 states?
And, my goodness, this is being led by a bunch of straight groups in Texas. Surely, some of you in the bluer parts of the country can show a little support for the LGBT community and your brethern in the redder parts of the country?
There is still time to plan a vigil, and vigils can be held by one group, one family, or even one individual. It doesn't have to be flashy, or impressive, or crowded. It just has to be held. 50 states, 50 vigils. Surely, we can do that.
More information can be found at Seven Straight Nights. You can check there to see if there is a vigil in your state, or near you. If there is, please join it. If not, please start a vigil of your own. The more people participate, the more powerful the event will be. It's time to stand up and be counted-on behalf of someone else.