Hi guys, I wanted to share something with you, in case you don't get this... from Soulforce.  Soulforce as many of you know is the organization founded by Gay spiritual leader and civil rights leader, Mel White.

Here is the link if you want to read this in color and with photos at soulforce site but it is about 7 straight nights for Equality... Straight people all over America coming out in support of LGBTQ civil rights.

http://www.soulforce.org/email_campaign/email_8_21_2007.html

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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 go to
https://www.soulforce.org/sevenstraightnights/application.php?application=sevenstraightnights&action=showall

To make a general donation towards Seven Straight Nights for Equal
Rights, go to
https://www.soulforce.org/application.php?application=donate&campaign_id=10

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

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The goal of Soulforce is freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender people from religious and political oppression through the
practice of relentless nonviolent resistance.
      
To read past Soulforce email alerts go to www.soulforce.org/email