Straight ally led action for equality gears up in NC

Soulforce and Atticus Circle have teamed up to present Seven Straight Nights, a week-long series of events, actions, protests and vigils across the nation led and organized by straight allies.

The actions and vigils are planned to be held at state capitols, legislative buildings and governors’ mansions.

In North Carolina, the Reverend Jack McKinney and his wife KaKi have volunteered to lead the effort. On October 12th, starting at 5:30pm, they and supporters from the community, their church, the LGBT community and across the state will stand in vigil all night at the North Carolina State Capitol.

A message from Reverend McKinney:

Who among us has NEVER made a snap judgment about a person, a situation, an organization, a piece of music? By definition, prejudice, or pre-judgment, means drawing conclusions on the basis of meager information, true or not true, about a person or group. The history of our country, and every country, is replete with cruel and unjust laws and physical attacks on the basis of race, nationality, beliefs or other perceived differences. Consider the earlier years in America—“the only good injun is a dead injun,” “help wanted–Irish need not apply,” “colored in the balcony only” or “colored to the rear,” and can we ever forget Selma and Little Rock?

So, here we are again! Much of our government, major religious groups, and many of our institutions are still tragically pre-judging. To judge creative and good people in our society on the basis of misinformation is wrong!

The week of October 7-13 will be a unique opportunity for heterosexual citizens to speak out in support of civil rights and equal opportunity for our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters. A nationwide event called Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights is taking place that week. All-night vigils will be held in state capitals across the United States with each state having a one-night vigil. For more information see sevenstraightnights.org.

The Rev. Jack McKinney of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh, and his wife, KaKi, are North Carolina’s leaders. The North Carolina vigil will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, October 12 on the Capitol grounds in Raleigh. Bring a picnic basket and the whole family to enjoy an evening of music, speakers, a movie, as well as a candlelight march.

As citizens in a democracy we often feel a frustrating sense of helplessness in trying to address issues of fairness and equal opportunity affecting our fellow citizens. Our civic leaders and legislators are often distant and ambiguously responsive when they must attend to the sometimes opposing views of their constituents. Perhaps realization that many “straight” citizens are supportive of our GLBT brothers and sisters will be helpful in future decisions.

Please join us on October 12. For more information contact Jack McKinney at jmckinney ‘at’ pullen ‘dot’ org or (919) 828-0897

I’m so excited this is happening here. I’ll definitely be there. You, too, should make it a point to be there.

Technorati Tags: Raleigh, North Carolina, Soulforce, Seven Straight Nights, Jack McKinney, Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, lgbt, equality

Posted in Civil Rights, Community Events, LGBT, North Carolina, Politics, Raleigh, United States |