According to Wikipedia the definition of a Straight Ally (which I identify as) is: A straight ally or heterosexual ally is a heterosexual and cisgender person who supports equal civil rights, gender equality, LGBTQ social movements, and challenges homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia.
My sexuality is questioned a lot because of my voice and opinion about the LGBTQ community, so instead of just getting angry about it like I usually do, I thought writing why this is so important to me-and why it should be important to everybody else. Here are a couple of reasons why being an Ally is so important:
In the media, there are tons of people apart of the LGBTQ community. Some of my favorite entertainers are a part of that community. Ellen DeGeneres, for example, is one of my favorites. But when it boils down to it, nine times out of ten there are people you are around on a day to day basis that are part of the LGBTQ community, and you might not even realize it. Sexuality is somebody's right as a human being. And being an ally means that you support someone no matter what. That homophobic comment you make might push someone even further into the closet, being an ally is quite the opposite. Being open and ready for anyone and everyone is so important in a world where people roll their eyes at gay couples, and while gay marriage is very much legal in the US, it's still frowned upon.
According to Stonewall, one in six lesbian, gay or transgender people, have experienced a homophobic or bihomophobic hate crime. Twenty-six percent of gay, lesbian, or transgender people hide their sexual identity to avoid hate crimes. Thirty-eight percent of transgender people have experienced physical intimidation and 81% of transgender people have experienced what is called "silent harassment" (i.e., people staring or whispering about them). Forty percent of countries are still discriminating against homosexuality. Same-sex marriage is illegal in 72 countries, punishable by death in 10 of those countries. This is a bigger problem than we realize.
The LGBTQ community isn't just going to disappear. Get used to it. So instead of complaining that someone makes you uncomfortable for their sexuality, kindly get over it. Voicing your opinion, no matter how ignorant it may be, won't change the way people feel inside about themselves and their lovers.
In order to be an ally, you don't have to protest (although that's pretty cool). Being an ally simply means you're accepting. That's all there is to it. More often than not, allies have a strong voice, almost more than members of the LGBTQ community because they're not coming from a place of vulnerability. Standing up for something that effects you personally can only go so far, but standing up for other's rights, etc is even more powerful.
In an article from Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network, more than 90% of students have claimed to hear homophobic remarks on a daily basis. Only 3% of the LGBTQ claims that their school has an anti-bullying policy that specifically mentions sexual identity. When it comes down to it, LGBTQ students are twice as likely to get bullied than straight students.
When becoming an Ally there's a few things to look out for to voice your opinion a little extra. Ally week (which is different every year), is a great way to express your views on being an ally. People apart of the LGBTQ community need allies. Whether it be for moral support, or as an escape from a bad home life (which a lot of LGBTQ people unfortunately face), it starts with allies.
Being an ally isn't hard. It could simply be wearing a shirt with a rainbow on it. It could be as big as standing up for someone when they are being bullied. Anyone can be an ally. Parents, friends, teachers, nobody is exempt from being an ally, there is no excuse. A quote from GLSEN that I found that I really like is as follows: Allies are the changing face of LGBT rights, and the more allies there are, the faster the number of allies increases.
Encourage others to be themselves in a world where that isn't always supported. It only takes one person to make people uncomfortable about who they are, but it also only takes one person to feel quite the opposite. Be an ally. Open yourself up to things you can't even imagine. Becoming an ally all starts with you. So be a better you.