Seven Straight Nights...

[Jennifer5]

Who's going? How can we get more information?

I know that lady who's running the Seattle one pretty well... so if I can figure out location, date, time, etc. Hopefully I can go... :)


So far the cities are...
Phoenix - Arizona
Los Angeles - California
Atlanta -Georgia
Augusta - Maine
NYC - New York
Salem - Oregon
Harrisburg - Pennsylvania
Austin - Texas
Seattle - Washington :)

[Zerbie]

All the details about each state's event should appear on the website soon. Just click on your state on the navigation bar.

Or more simply, since you know the lady organizing in Seattle, you can contact her - she's probably putting together a mailing list and will want to include you on it.

[Progo35]

I signed up to help coordinate something in my area of MA, but I haven't heard back yet.

[Zerbie]

Have ya looked at the website lately?

http://www.sevenstraightnights.org

The current count is EIGHTEEN cities signed up for vigils.

Hey all you straight folks!!! - check it out!! There might be an event in your area!

:cool:

[Jennifer5]

I know, and it keeps growing!!! If there isn't an event near you currently, you can look into creating one. I think this will be a wonderful thing!

Just how many straight people support GLBT rights? This should give a little clue... :love:

[pnggrad79]

Do you have to be straight to go or can gay people go too?

[Jennifer5]

Do you have to be straight to go or can gay people go too?

I think it's probably fine if GLBT people attend, they just don't want that to be the focus for a change, when comes to GLBT rights.

I don't really know though... Zerbie do you have any idea?

[sailaway58]

Oct 12 Indiana State House. 6:00
My wife and I are planning to attend.
Any other Indiana people out there?

[u-dog]

How about people who are really really really good at PRETENDING to be straight?:D

[Zerbie]

How about people who are really really really good at PRETENDING to be straight?:D

:D:D:D

Well, I can't imagine anyone watching the vigil in your area would go "Hey - waita minute!! Isn't that Polly & U-dog?" and call a foul on the whole event. :lol:

If you're seriously interested in doing it, why not ask Jamie?

[BrentRichards]

As I've understood it, the organizers are happily accepting support and networking from us LGBT folk, but that the vigils are intended to be composed of allies, precisely to show that we LGBTs are not just standing up for self-interest while straight people go their own way not caring... showing the support of allies is the purpose of the vigils. I doubt anyone is going to be "thrown out" of these events for being gay (!), but I know the emphasis is on max number of straight allies showing their support for what is right, even though it's not strictly a matter of "self-interest" for them.

[Jennifer5]

Oct 12 Indiana State House. 6:00
My wife and I are planning to attend.
Any other Indiana people out there?
No one else from Indiana to my knowledge... but maybe after you attend this event there might be. :love: (if the forums are mentioned that is)

How about people who are really really really good at PRETENDING to be straight?:D
Leave it to you to ask that question :rolleyes:

As I've understood it, the organizers are happily accepting support and networking from us LGBT folk, but that the vigils are intended to be composed of allies, precisely to show that we LGBTs are not just standing up for self-interest while straight people go their own way not caring... showing the support of allies is the purpose of the vigils. I doubt anyone is going to be "thrown out" of these events for being gay (!), but I know the emphasis is on max number of straight allies showing their support for what is right, even though it's not strictly a matter of "self-interest" for them.

Thank you Brent! That was pretty much my understanding as well... but you seem to have a lot more knowledge about this then I do. :love:

[sailaway58]

I am putting myself in the fire.
I have been asked to sing at our Indiana event.
I can't think of any friends I can tell about it let alone invite to come.
My wife will be with me as well as sing with me. :pray: for us :pray: Not about the singing, pray about our public stand for what we believe. Oct 12th we will be putting it all on the line.
The set proposed is:
Tuesday's Dead (Cat Stevens)Tim
Blowing in the Wind (Dylan) Tim & Cindy
Pictures (Original) Tim
Forever Young (Dylan) Tim & Cindy

GROUNDBREAKING PROJECT FOR EQUAL RIGHTS TO FEATURE

STRAIGHT PEOPLE STANDING UP FOR

GAY AMERICANS AND THEIR FAMILIES

EVENT AT STATE CAPITOL ON OCTOBER 10 TO ACTIVATE

STRAIGHT ALLIES IN INDIANAPOLIS TO CALL FOR LGBT RIGHTS

(Indianapolis, IN) --- On Friday, October 12th, Indianapolis citizens will rally at the state capitol to deliver a simple but powerful message: straight people are demanding equal rights for all gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans, and their families.

[u-dog]

You will almost certainly see SOME familiar and friendly faces in the crowd that night :D P and I will be there pretending to be straight people.

[BrentRichards]

I am putting myself in the fire.
I have been asked to sing at our Indiana event.
I can't think of any friends I can tell about it let alone invite to come.
My wife will be with me as well as sing with me. :pray: for us :pray: Not about the singing, pray about our public stand for what we believe. Oct 12th we will be putting it all on the line.
The set proposed is:
Tuesday's Dead (Cat Stevens)Tim
Blowing in the Wind (Dylan) Tim & Cindy
Pictures (Original) Tim
Forever Young (Dylan) Tim & Cindy

GROUNDBREAKING PROJECT FOR EQUAL RIGHTS TO FEATURE

STRAIGHT PEOPLE STANDING UP FOR

GAY AMERICANS AND THEIR FAMILIES

EVENT AT STATE CAPITOL ON OCTOBER 10 TO ACTIVATE

STRAIGHT ALLIES IN INDIANAPOLIS TO CALL FOR LGBT RIGHTS

(Indianapolis, IN) --- On Friday, October 12th, Indianapolis citizens will rally at the state capitol to deliver a simple but powerful message: straight people are demanding equal rights for all gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans, and their families.

This is fantastic, Tim! Wish I could be there!

[u-dog]

This is fantastic, Tim! Wish I could be there!


You could stay at our house !! ;)

[tdogg]

I am putting myself in the fire.
I have been asked to sing at our Indiana event.
I can't think of any friends I can tell about it let alone invite to come.
My wife will be with me as well as sing with me. :pray: for us :pray: Not about the singing, pray about our public stand for what we believe. Oct 12th we will be putting it all on the line.
The set proposed is:
Tuesday's Dead (Cat Stevens)Tim
Blowing in the Wind (Dylan) Tim & Cindy
Pictures (Original) Tim
Forever Young (Dylan) Tim & Cindy


Go Tim & Cindy!!! Right on! You are amazing Sailaway, you and your woman. Stand up proud, you are standing up for everyone! :pray::love::rainbow:

[andrewlittle]

I do not really think we will have moved by then. If we haven't, Jenna and I will be there - being very proud to know you. We are only 3 1/2 hours away, at this point.

Courage is courage. Authenticity is authenticity. You and your wife personify both. God bless you again, and again, and ...

It doesn't hurt, either, that I love your set.

Andy

[Jennifer5]

I am putting myself in the fire.
I have been asked to sing at our Indiana event.
I can't think of any friends I can tell about it let alone invite to come.
My wife will be with me as well as sing with me. :pray: for us :pray: Not about the singing, pray about our public stand for what we believe. Oct 12th we will be putting it all on the line.
The set proposed is:
Tuesday's Dead (Cat Stevens)Tim
Blowing in the Wind (Dylan) Tim & Cindy
Pictures (Original) Tim
Forever Young (Dylan) Tim & Cindy

GROUNDBREAKING PROJECT FOR EQUAL RIGHTS TO FEATURE

STRAIGHT PEOPLE STANDING UP FOR

GAY AMERICANS AND THEIR FAMILIES

EVENT AT STATE CAPITOL ON OCTOBER 10 TO ACTIVATE

STRAIGHT ALLIES IN INDIANAPOLIS TO CALL FOR LGBT RIGHTS

(Indianapolis, IN) --- On Friday, October 12th, Indianapolis citizens will rally at the state capitol to deliver a simple but powerful message: straight people are demanding equal rights for all gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans, and their families.

Sounds incredible Tim! Really glad to see that you're jumping in, the world needs more people like you!
:love:

[crm3]

Hey everyone! I'm the Houston state leader and i can't wait for the event! In response to an earlier post, you most certainly do NOT have to be straight to attend. This is about allies standing with our GLBT friends and declaring that we also care about equality and that human rights are not just a "gay issue." So if you know of an event in your area, please come out! It should be moving, amazing, and powerful. If we're lucky it will even cause some people to open their eyes and start to love their neighbors instead of judging them.

[Jennifer5]

Hey everyone! I'm the Houston state leader and i can't wait for the event! In response to an earlier post, you most certainly do NOT have to be straight to attend. This is about allies standing with our GLBT friends and declaring that we also care about equality and that human rights are not just a "gay issue." So if you know of an event in your area, please come out! It should be moving, amazing, and powerful. If we're lucky it will even cause some people to open their eyes and start to love their neighbors instead of judging them.

This really does sound like it'll be an incredible event! Hopefully I'll get to attend here in Seattle, just so long as those annoying things such as school and work(mom's crazy schedule) doesn't get in the way. :pray:

[Zerbie]

This really does sound like it'll be an incredible event! Hopefully I'll get to attend here in Seattle, just so long as those annoying things such as school and work(mom's crazy schedule) doesn't get in the way. :pray:

This is a once-in-a-lifetime kinda thing Jen. Even if there's a 7SN next year, there will still never be a FIRST 7SN again. Tell work you need that day off, and tell them NOW. Then, line up a trusted adult relative or friend who can take you if your mom can't make it that day. Have two people lined up who you can call up last minute so you can get there.

[Jennifer5]

This is a once-in-a-lifetime kinda thing Jen. Even if there's a 7SN next year, there will still never be a FIRST 7SN again. Tell work you need that day off, and tell them NOW. Then, line up a trusted adult relative or friend who can take you if your mom can't make it that day. Have two people lined up who you can call up last minute so you can get there.

Easier said then done. My mom's work schedule is the hard part. She's the only one that would be able to take me, I don't know anyone else near by who would... and they couldn't anyway because the crap with my dad (if anything happened, my mom would be screwed). I really do want to go and as soon as I get exact dates and locations I will work on my mom in hopes of her saying yes. I wish it was as simple has askign someone to take me, but I don't really have that option like I wouldn't a year or two ago.

I agree, this is a once in a lifetime experience, now I just need work on making it happen.:pray: Thanks for continuing to encourage me Zerbie, I'm trying to get in contact with the Seattle leader for more information... if you have any other suggests I'm glad to hear them, I want to make this happen.:love:

[Daniel]

http://www.towleroad.com/2007/09/straight-vt-wom.html

[Jennifer5]

http://www.towleroad.com/2007/09/straight-vt-wom.html

Interesting! Good and bad... horrible that those things are happening, but I love her reaction. Do we have anyway to tell her about 7SN?

[BrentRichards]

http://www.towleroad.com/2007/09/straight-vt-wom.html

One of the comments posted on the article:

Did every homosexual man who read this story just instinctively shout 'You go, girl!' at once? Because I did.

ME TOO! :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Jennifer5]

One of the comments posted on the article:



ME TOO! :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

:lol:I love it.

[Jennifer5]

Is there ANYONE else on here from the Seattle WA area? Last I knew we didn't have a leader.. if you know of anyone in the area please suggest that they ask about being a leader. I'm 16, I can't, I'll just be glad if I'm able to go. :love:

Thanks

[Zerbie]

Is there ANYONE else on here from the Seattle WA area? Last I knew we didn't have a leader.. if you know of anyone in the area please suggest that they ask about being a leader. I'm 16, I can't, I'll just be glad if I'm able to go. :love:

Thanks

Even if you don't make it to a vigil this time round, Jen, your spirit will most certainly be with us as we hold ours in Phoenix. :love:

[Jennifer5]

Even if you don't make it to a vigil this time round, Jen, your spirit will most certainly be with us as we hold ours in Phoenix. :love:

Thanks sis! I'd be just as happy to join you for the action in Phoenix... but you know, that distance detail :rolleyes:

:love:

[sailaway58]

Even if you don't make it to a vigil this time round, Jen, your spirit will most certainly be with us as we hold ours in Phoenix. :love:
You can also host a at home vigil. come together with some friends and invite some friends on the outside of this issue and share why this is important to you. Share your stories and such.

[Jennifer5]

You can also host a at home vigil. come together with some friends and invite some friends on the outside of this issue and share why this is important to you. Share your stories and such.

Neat idea... and I'll try to make it to the one in Seattle... if all works out, I think my mom's onboard!:love:

[Zerbie]

Neat idea... and I'll try to make it to the one in Seattle... if all works out, I think my mom's onboard!:love:

Yayyy!!!

Keep telling all your friends Jen, and everyone - I think the word is starting to get out there. Keep it goin' on!

:weee:

[Jennifer5]

Yayyy!!!

Keep telling all your friends Jen, and everyone - I think the word is starting to get out there. Keep it goin' on!

:weee:

Yeah, I don't have any friends in the state that I could mention this event to... but that would be one of the nice things about going.:) Meet more people!

[Daniel]

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/09/092407Vigil.htm


Straights Join Fight For Gay Rights
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: September 24, 2007 - 1:00 pm ET

(Austin, Texas) Vigils are planned next month in cities across the country to support federal and state LGBT initiatives. What makes these demonstrations different is that they are being organized by straight men and women.

From Santa Rosa, California, to Montgomery, Alabama, to Augusta, Maine, overnight vigils will light up American cities over the course of seven nights - from October 7 to 13 - "providing unprecedented visibility to heterosexual men and women with the conviction to stand up for their gay and lesbian friends and neighbors" according to organizers Atticus Circle and Soulforce.

Atticus Circle is a national organization dedicated to achieving equality for all partners, parents, and their children regardless of sexual orientation. Soulforce is a nondenominational organization that advocates for LGBT issues.

The vigils, dubbed Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights, will take place in 30 cities the two groups said in a statement on Monday. The kick-off will take place at The King Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Many Seven Straight Nights local organizers were motivated to become more involved after divisive marriage discrimination amendments made it to the ballot in their states.

In Arizona, where voters defeated a marriage amendment in 2006, Seven Straight Nights organizer Susan Hurley and her husband William Reber were spurred to a new level of political involvement. "When the marriage amendment was introduced, we went from being the kind of people who make phone calls and write letters to being the people standing on street corners with signs in our hands," said Hurley.

In Texas, Anne Wynne said she was shocked into action by the November 2004 elections, when eleven states voted to add a ban on gay marriage to their constitutions.

"When I saw the margins these propositions passed by, I thought, 'Where were the people who think like my husband and me?'" When she couldn't find an existing political organization that represented her interests, Wynne took matters into her own hands, founding Atticus Circle to educate and mobilize straight supporters of equal rights.

Faith traditions also provide inspiration for many families and individuals who are organizing Seven Straight Nights vigils, Atticus and Soulforce said.

In Raleigh, North Carolina, the vigil organizer is Rev. Jack McKinney of Pullen Memorial Baptist church, a local institution with a long history of involvement in civil rights struggles. The Raleigh vigil will feature church choirs and will offer thanks to those North Carolina corporate leaders who have taken progressive stands on domestic partner benefits for employees.

Julie Morgan, vigil organizer for Duluth, Minnesota, is active in an interfaith committee called Standing on the Side of Love. Of her involvement with Seven Straight Nights, Morgan said in the joint statement, "my faith as a Unitarian commands me to be active in the world, to take my values and live them."

In other states, vigil organizers represent a variety of other faith traditions, including Judaism and Native American Shamanistic traditions.

"These fair-minded straight folks are showing their elected officials that equality is not a secular issue, not a gay issue, not an urban elite issue, not an east coast or a west coast issue--it's an American issue," says Jeff Lutes, Executive Director of Soulforce.

On October 12, 2007, the nation will mark the ninth anniversary of the murder of Matthew Shepard, a brutal hate crime that shocked many Americans out of complacency. With the fate of the Matthew Shepard Act still unclear in the Senate, this year's anniversary looms with particular poignancy.

Shepard's mother, Judy Shepard of Wyoming, has officially endorsed Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights, saying "All of us -- gay and straight alike -- need to act. Hate affects each and every one of us."

Vigil leader Susan Crain of Greenville, South Carolina understands the importance of hate crime laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity. On May 16 of this year, tragedy struck her city when twenty-year-old Sean Kennedy was attacked and beaten to death by a stranger spouting anti-gay epithets.

At the Greenville Seven Straight Nights vigil, South Carolinians will light 1,138 candles in the City Plaza to symbolize the 1,138 rights and responsibilities denied to gay couples by denying them marriage equality. Students from a local Gay-Straight Alliance will read aloud the names of victims of hate crimes.

In Wisconsin, where a marriage amendment passed in 2006, Atticus and Soulforce said that First Lady Jessica Doyle has stepped forward as the leader for Seven Straight Nights in Madison.

According to Doyle, "We are at our very best as a state when we are open, inclusive, and actively dedicated to equal rights for all."

And in New York, where a marriage equality bill remains stalled in the state senate, Seven Straight Nights participants will vigil outside the home office of Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno (R), which is located in Saratoga Springs, New York.

©365Gay.com 2007


Way to go batgirl!

[sailaway58]

Well I submitted a press release today.
I was a little gutless about it though, I didn't use my name or email. No doubt it will get around town fast enough that Tim and Cindy support Gay rights because I have to pay for the add if they don't want to issue it as a press release. This little town of 6,500 loves to gossip!
We both feel ready for what ever follows. I have been asked to also share that night our story as to how we came to support equal rights.
This won't be my first public speaking engagement, but it will no doubt be the most controversial. I plan to very frank and am putting together my thoughts for the night daily.
I'm kind of getting into this, are there jobs for this kind of thing? :rolleyes: God knows my business will bite it as this gets out. ;)
That's okay, we're ready for the ride!
I have found that most of the fears we have about something never come to the fruition we expect.
Don't forget us folks in Indiana! $$
https://www.soulforce.org/sevenstraightnights/application.php?application=sevenstraightnights&city_id=13

[Zerbie]

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/09/092407Vigil.htm




Way to go batgirl!

:cool:

Well howabout that?

:cool:


Well I submitted a press release today.
I was a little gutless about it though, I didn't use my name or email.


I thought there had to be a media contact info on a press release in order for it to be taken under consideration? No?

We both feel ready for what ever follows. I have been asked to also share that night our story as to how we came to support equal rights.
This won't be my first public speaking engagement, but it will no doubt be the most controversial. I plan to very frank and am putting together my thoughts for the night daily.

That sounds perfect!! :D:tup::agree:

I'm mentally speculating all the time on just how much I'm going to say and what it will consist of. Not much, since we've public speakers invited to do the bulk of the public address. Anyway, I hear ya. :)



I'm kind of getting into this, are there jobs for this kind of thing? :rolleyes: God knows my business will bite it as this gets out. ;)
That's okay, we're ready for the ride!

id=13[/url]

Well I hope you wind up pleasantly surprised about that!! You never know how many around you will really appreciate your stand. And even those that don't may turn out to really respect the courage you have in your convictions.

This is when I get to be glad I'm an opera singer. This sort of stand might not totally debilitate my chances there.

[sailaway58]

I thought there had to be a media contact info on a press release in order for it to be taken under consideration? No?
I used the host email and name Andy Burnette

[Jamie McDaniel]

Dennis Kucinich has Seven Straight Nights on his website.

www.dennis4president.com/go/newsroom/seven-straight-nights-for-equal-rights (http://www.dennis4president.com/go/newsroom/seven-straight-nights-for-equal-rights/)

[Jennifer5]

Dennis Kucinich has Seven Straight Nights on his website.

www.dennis4president.com/go/newsroom/seven-straight-nights-for-equal-rights (http://www.dennis4president.com/go/newsroom/seven-straight-nights-for-equal-rights/)

That's awesome!!! :rainbow:





So, can anyone answer my questions....

Is the Seattle event still taking place, because I don't seem to be able to get any details?

Where would it be?

What day?

They're making it impossible to figure out what's going on... this week and I definately can't go if I don't know when, where, or if it's even happening.

[Emproph]

Is the Seattle event still taking place, because I don't seem to be able to get any details?

Jennifer, it looks like there was going to be a vigil, but not now. I don't know why.

From the Seattle page (https://www.soulforce.org/sevenstraightnights/application.php?application=sevenstraightnights&city_id=3):
I feel honored to lead the Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights vigil in Washington...

She also had sponsors, but the vigil info portion said this:
Location: No vigil
Vigil Info: In conjunction with National Coming out Day and Seven Straight Nights, Equal Rights Washington (http://www.equalrightswashington.org/) will start to roll out a series of new online tools to engage our straight allies in our sustained grassroots education and lobbying work. These tools will also empower members of the LGBT community to engage straight members of their social networks in our advocacy campaigns. Materials to be rolled out starting on October 11th, include a resource page on ERW's website specifically for straight allies.
___________

Also, a couple of videos and articles (http://www.sevenstraightnights.org/article/11) are up on the site:

October 12, 2007
News 14 Raleigh, North Carolina
iyEKoMy3uic
Chris Elkins, where have I heard that name before, hmm... :inspector:
____
October 10, 2007
Fox 7 Austin, Texas
lhQYmBbKGNE

Update: It looks like Jamie's been busy, there's a few more videos from Austin here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/jamiemcd

[Jennifer5]

Jennifer, it looks like there was going to be a vigil, but not now. I don't know why.

From the Seattle page (https://www.soulforce.org/sevenstraightnights/application.php?application=sevenstraightnights&city_id=3):

Thanks sweetie :love:


I'll watch the videos later.

[Emproph]

The effort called “Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights” gained support after Sean Kennedy, a gay man, was killed outside a Greenville nightclub in May.Candles were placed throughout the plaza. The group said each of the 1,138 candles represents an amendment, law or ordinance that denies equal rights to people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.
http://www.foxcarolina.com/2007/1009/14301009_240X180.jpg (http://www.foxcarolina.com/news/14300543/detail.html?rss=gsaa&psp=news#)

Video: Group Uses Rally To Push For Gay Rights (http://www.foxcarolina.com/news/14300543/detail.html?rss=gsaa&psp=news#)

Re anti-gay protesters:
“This is a demonstration of hate in the disguise of religion,” said Creech, who was once a minister. “It makes me sad.”