Support Caitlin MacIntyre and Other Heterosexual Allies
Who Are Leading "Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights"
in States Around The Country This October

"When I was in the fourth grade my father came out of the closet as a gay man. I have never been so proud of him. Unable to marry, have children, or live peacefully without fear of violence, he chose to closet himself in order to attain the simple human rights the rest of us simply expect. He was forced to hide decades ago and people are still forced into hiding now. They are stifling their pride in our schools to avoid the hateful taunts and violence of their classmates, disguising themselves in their places of employment to avoid an otherwise groundless dismissal, lying about their orientation so that they can have the child they always dreamed of, and even marrying members of the opposite sex for stability, the American dream, and freedom from hate and homophobia.

There are also many who have had the courage to speak out and declare themselves proud. Their journey is one of trial and blatant discrimination and they are forced to travel it not out of choice, but because of the people they love. It is time we as straight allies refuse to accept this treatment of our fellow Americans in the so-called land of the free. It is one thing to see and understand injustice and another thing entirely to stand up and fight against it. Many of us know that the oppression of GLBT individuals is horrible and wrong, but few have found an outlet to express our disapproval. The result is that issues of equality are labeled as 'gay issues' or seen as radical demands of the few. It's time we change this misconception by choosing to follow our GLBT friends, neighbors, family, and fellow Americans and declare our intentions to be counted. Seven Straight Nights can allow allies this opportunity.

As GLBT Americans have stood in the face of prejudice and declared their true identity, I have come out as an ally and an activist and I will never again retreat. Not when I think that I may never see my father and his partner of 8 years walk down the aisle in a legal marriage unless I speak up. Not when I imagine that some of my closest friends will be denied equal opportunities to employment or discriminated against in any number of ways unless I take action. Not when I understand the internalized homophobia and pain many GLBT youth are forced to endure that could be diminished by the support of the people around them. I want to be a part of a generation and a nation that refused to be silenced and forget about the rights of their neighbors, friends and families. I want to be remembered for my love of people regardless of who they love and my ardent support of equality. That is why I am involved in Seven Straight Nights. So that I can support those brave and wonderful individuals who have been forced to stand alone for so long and to show them and the world that they must no longer fight alone."

--Caitlin MacIntyre
Houston, Texas

How You Can Be Involved in and Support "Seven Straight Nights"

To learn more about Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights and how you can be involved, go to www.sevenstraightnights.org

To sponsor one of the states organizing a vigil, click here.

To make a general donation towards Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights, click here.

Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights is a collaborative project of Soulforce and Atticus Circle.