Between Oct. 7 and 13, straight people across the U.S. are expected to "come out" as supporters of equal rights for gay and lesbian Americans as part of “Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights,” initiated by Texas-based gay rights organizations Soulforce and Atticus Circle.

From Santa Rosa, Calif., to Augusta, Maine, overnight vigils are expected to light up American cities over the course of seven nights, providing “unprecedented visibility to heterosexual men and women with the conviction to stand up for their gay and lesbian friends and neighbors.”

According to a release about the event, straight equality advocates in 30 cities—including Greenville, S.C.; Shreveport, La.; Duluth, Minn.; and Salem, Ore.—have agreed to hold vigils over the course of the week, with the kick off occurring at The King Center in Atlanta. 

Organizers of the event say many "Seven Straight Nights" participants were motivated to become more involved after divisive marriage discrimination amendments made it to the ballot in their states.

In Arizona, for instance, Susan Hurley and husband William Reber were “spurred to a new level of political involvement” after a marriage amendment was introduced in their state. 

"When the marriage amendment was introduced, we went from being the kind of people who make phone calls and write letters to being the people standing on street corners with signs in our hands," Hurley said in a release.

Church leaders and groups from around the country are also taking an active role in the event. In Raleigh, N.C., Rev. Jack McKinney will lead a vigil that will feature church choirs and offer thanks to North Carolina corporate leaders who have taken progressive stands on domestic partner benefits.

"These fair-minded straight folks are showing their elected officials that equality is not a secular issue, not a gay issue, not an urban elite issue, not an east coast or a west coast issue—it's an American issue," Jeff Lutes, executive director of Soulforce, said in a release.

For more information about “Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights,” visit www.sevenstraightnights.org.