We Are All in this Together

It is my opinion that the battle for full equality for LGBTI citizens will not be won in the courts or in the legislatures until straight people wake up and realize that we are all in this together. There is no such thing as gay rights, black rights or women's rights. The rights and responsibilities that we enjoy and are guaranteed by our constitutions belong to all of us. We must all stand for the dignity and pride of our brothers and sisters.

I see signs that this is finally coming to fruition.

On October 7-13, 2007, straight people across the nation will "come out" as supporters of equal rights for gay and lesbian Americans.

From Santa Rosa, California, to Montgomery, Alabama, to Augusta, Maine, overnight vigils will light up American cities, providing unprecedented visibility to heterosexual men and women with the conviction to stand up for their gay and lesbian friends and neighbors.

This grassroots groundswell, dubbed Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights, was initiated by Soulforce and Atticus Circle, two Texas-based organizations with members across the nation. With their support, straight community leaders are organizing vigils in towns like Greenville, South Carolina, Shreveport, Louisiana, Duluth, Minnesota, and Salem, Oregon.

These courageous community leaders are showing their elected officials that equality is not a gay issue, not an urban elite issue, not an east coast or a west coast issue -- it's an American issue, and Seven Straight Nights is making Americans' support for lesbian and gay equality visible as never before.

More here.