Being a Straight Ally

GSA stands for Gay-Straight Alliance. This means that in this group, not only do we have members of the  LGBT+ community but also an abundance of Straight Allies. In fact, allies stand majority. Straight Allies are people that are heterosexual (straight) and cisgender (biological sex corresponds with gender identity), who do not identify as a part of the LGBT+ community, but are active supporters of the movement.  

We believe in the power and equality of love and self-identity beyond the confinements societal pressure. “Love is a terrible thing to hate,” is a popular Gay Pride slogan, and it rings loud and true. Love is arguably one of the most powerful emotions in the world; it is also not something we have the power to control or ever predict. Finding true love is a fairy tale, a dream come true, one of the most beautiful human interactions, so why would anyone try to restrict and prohibit someone from doing so? An important part of love is also the love and acceptance of oneself, to do so, LGBT+ and all other oppressed communities in the world need to feel like their identity isn’t a sin, that it isn’t wrong. Who are we to tell others who they are? We cannot tell someone to love another gender, to be another gender, the same way we can’t make someone love Cheddar cheese when they much more prefer Swiss.

We are a safe place where they can be themselves. This is also one of the biggest aims of GSA: to create a safe space for people of the LGBT+ community. For adolescents, school should be a place where they aren’t afraid to be themselves, to show what they’re made of, who they are, and who they can be. We believe that no matter someone’s sexual orientation or gender, everyone deserves the same amount of respect, kindness, and rights. We are all a part of the human race, and if it is wrong to judge another by the colour of their skin, or by their sex, why isn’t it wrong to judge someone by what gender they love or the gender they prefer. Someone’s identity shouldn’t be your dirty word. It is acceptance and compassion that makes an ally, because everyone in the world deserves to believe they matter – deserves to be heard. 

We try to understand, to help, to give them a chance to speak, but not speak for them. It is about being a source of support and strength amidst the animosity from the rest of the world. It is about being a good listener to be able to actually hear what they have to say. It is about being open to knowing more, and asking questions, not making assumptions. It is about treating them with the same amount of respect and politeness as you would to anyone else. It is about giving them a voice, not being their voice. A Straight Ally doesn’t fight their fight, we are simply helpers along the way, passing along their message. 

We are allies because we stand alongside the LGBT+ community in their fight for freedom of love and expression. 

You should too. 

Simple steps to being an ally: 

• Ask questions! Learn as much as possible, to understand as much as possible. 
• Come to a meeting in Ms. Partee’s Room (326) at lunch on Wednesdays 
• Participate in events the GSA hold to tell the community you support them (watch out for posters around the school) 
• Be a supportive and trustworthy friend to the LGBT+ community 
• Most importantly, keep an open mind 

To learn more:

1. Human Rights Campaign
2. Glaad 
3. Straight for Equality (PDF)