7SN Augusta coverage

[BenL]

In Newsweekly coverage of Seven Straight Nights in Augusta, ME:

http://www.innewsweekly.com/innews/?...icle_code=4540

Straight allies urged to come out for gay rights
EVENTS IN AUGUSTA, SALEM HIGHLIGHT NEED FOR ALLIES IN FIGHT FOR EQUALITY

Standing on the steps of the Maine State House in a sweater and brown leather jacket, Rev. Mark Doty, the out pastor of the Hammond Street Congregational Church, UCC, in Bangor, beckoned to a crowd of about 40 people, urging them to gather closer. There were no microphones ("try finding a PA system on a Sunday before a holiday," the pastor said at the Sunday, Oct. 7 event) and the noise from the passing traffic was loud.

The crowd - made up of mostly middle age men and women, some carrying signs - had gathered on a crisp fall Sunday afternoon to take part in the first night of Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights.

The event, one of two in New England, (a similar event is scheduled to take place in Salem, Mass on Oct. 11) was part of a week-long series of vigils hosted nationwide by Texas-based Atticus Circle and Soulforce that has straight people leading similar vigils in 30 cities and 26 states across America during the second week in October.