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How To Be An Ally

7/11/2014

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What are straight allies? What do they look like? How do they act? And more importantly, how many are out there?

Everyone should be a straight ally. It is one of the most important roles in helping to combat homophobia. Straight allies can be co-workers, colleagues, supervisors, friends, family members, or other students. A straight ally is someone who is willing to stand up and be vocal when confronted with homo-negativity. 

Homo-negativity is any negative attitude toward homosexuality (including emotional, moral, or intellectual disapproval). It might be someone saying “That’s so gay,” a homophobic slur or joke, it could be someone spreading an LGBT stereotype. Many people who identify as LGBT are still closeted and may feel uncomfortable addressing homo-negativity in fear of outing themselves. A straight ally who speaks up demonstrates that they won’t condone such comments, creating a more positive space.

It’s important that straight allies in schools and workplaces across Muskoka help bridge the gap between LGBT and straight individuals. We need to work together to dispel myths and stereotypes about each other and to build on our similarities rather than focusing on our differences.

An important part of being an ally is establishing ourselves within our social and professional circles as people who will not tolerate homo-negativity or homophobia in any form or under any circumstance. This is also, in many ways, the hardest part. It goes without saying that bringing up weighty issues can be awkward in social situations -- even more so, standing up to a colleague or a friend.

Two organizations that support straight allies are PFLAG and GSAs.   Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is an organization that works specifically to bring straight allies into the LGBT rights movement.   A Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) is a student-run club that brings together LGBT and straight students to create a platform for activism to fight homophobia and transphobia.

Steps to being a Straight Ally  (from PFLAG’s website  www.straightforequality.org)

1.    Stay informed – keep yourself informed about LGBT issues by asking or finding out through research.
2.    Speak up – be the one to speak up if you hear a homophobic comment or joke.
3.    Be honest – know what LGBT terms to use (spouse, partner, significant other, boyfriend, girlfriend) to describe a relationship and use them.
4.    Support equality – voice your support for equality wherever you can.
5.    Come out – that is, come out as a straight ally. Be the conversation-starter at work or in the community.

The next time you hear someone say “That’s so gay” or spread a stereotype about LGBT individuals, how will you respond?


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  • Volunteer
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  • Events
    • 2025 Pride Week >
      • Land Acknowledgement
      • Festival Statement of Conduct
      • Google Calendar - Events
      • Applications >
        • Parade
        • Pride Week Volunteers
        • Host An Event
        • Vendors
        • Performers
        • Sponsorship
    • Social Events
    • Youth
    • PFLAG
    • Google Calendar
    • Drag Show
    • 2024 AGM
    • Away We Go Trips
    • 2024 Pride Week >
      • 2024 Pride Week Events >
        • July 19 - Disco Muskoka
        • July 20 - Boat Parade - Six Mile Lake
        • July 20 - Drag Show 6 Mile Lake
        • July 21 - Church Service - Gravenhurst
        • July 21 - Rainbow Road Tour
        • July 22 - Flag Raisings
        • July 23 - Rainbow Jamboree
        • July 24 - Pooch Pride
        • July 24 - Human Library
        • July 25 - Mini Golf Tournament
        • July 25 - Comedy Night
        • July 26 - Cruise
        • July 26 - Bracebridge Drag Show
        • July 27 - Drag Brunch
        • July 27 - Rainbow Magic Storytime
        • July 28 - Church Service - Bracebridge
        • July 28 - 2024 Pride Festival
        • July 28 - 2024 Pride Parade
        • Pride and Seek
        • Affiliate Events 2024
      • 2024 Guide
    • 2023 Pride Week >
      • 2023 Pride Week Events >
        • July 15 - Boat Parade - Six Mile Lake
        • July 22 - Beers with Queers Bracebridge
        • July 23 - Church Service - Gravenhurst
        • July 23 - Rainbow Road Tour
        • July 23 - Benefit Concert
        • July 24 - Flag Raisings
        • July 24 - Broadway on the Barge
        • July 25 - Citronella - Pride Matinee
        • July 25 - Drive In Night
        • July 26 - Comedy Night
        • July 27 - Mini Golf Tournament
        • July 27 - Disco Muskoka
        • July 28 - Sawdust City Drag Show
        • July 29 - Beers with Queers Huntsville Trivia
        • July 30 - Church Service - Bracebridge
        • July 30 - 2023 Pride Festival
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        • July 30 - Bracebridge Hall Drag Show
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