GenQ - For the not so straight individual

Friday October 28, Phoenix, AZ

Around the nation this past week, straight allies for gay rights held demonstrations, public rallies, and speakers conferences to stand up and say "Our Gay neighbors deserve the same rights as we do." Sponsored by Atticus Circle and Soulforce (links below), Seven Straight Nights is a nation-wide demonstration of straight individuals committed to improving gay rights.

Demonstrations took place all around the nation in cities like Los Angeles, Montgomery Alabama, Lansing Michigan and Phoenix, AZ. The GenerationQ staff was on hand at the Phoenix rally and interviewed local event organizer Susan Hurley who said that this was the first time she has ever organized anything larger than a birthday party. Her motivation for taking on such an ordeal is her dedication to improving rights and as she says "it is abhorrent that we [straight people] get to vote on our neighbor's civil rights," talking about a recent "marriage protection" bill in Arizona State. Motivated by their faith, these straight people have taken it upon themselves to not only be allies in gay rights, but to make their dedication public through organized social action.



Speakers at the Phoenix rally included the Rev. Dr. John Hermann of pastor at Desert Palm United Church of Christ in Tempe, AZ; Rabbi Rafael Goldstein Director of the JFCS Endowment; Rev. Cora Lee Meier, assistant pastor of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Phoenix; Rebecca Glenn, Executive Director of Crosswalk America; Bill Strauss, a local talk show personality and Arizona Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League; Phoenix City Council Member Greg Stanton; and Ruth Grove, former PFLAG Phoenix who gave us the inspirational words that sometimes the world (especially straight people) don't get it, but some of them actually do.

This event showcases the fact that GLBTQ Americans do have a strong support base out there, as Hurley says "We have too much love and respect for our LGBT friends and colleagues to stand idly by while certain segments of society declares war on the people we love." Without question, these straight allies of ours, who risk persecution from their friends and colleagues truly are both an inspiration to gay men and women nationwide and deserve our eternal thanks and gratitude.

GenerationQ has long asked our religious allies to stand up for gay rights. Seven Straight Nights is truly a long-awaited blessing, demonstrating to the entire Nation that GLBTQ people aren't the only ones who think that we deserve rights. From all of us at GenerationQ, we truly thank the organizers and supporters of Seven Straight Nights for all their hard work. We know that there will always be a battle for civil rights, but together, regardless of nationality, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or any other factor, all Americans will eventually be treated equally with the same civil rights.

For more information visit:
Seven Straight Nights>>
Atticus Circle>>
Soulforce>>

Photo features the speakers at the Phoenix rally with Susan Hurley (organizer) 6th from right and her husband (William Reber) 7th from right. Photo (c) 2007 GenerationQ by Justin Boren