Hello. I'm a Straight Ally.

Yesterday was International Coming Out Day, which is of course a big day for the GLBTQ community. Since I’m not GLBTQ myself, I couldn’t really take the opportunity to come out yesterday. I’m not gay, I’m not transgender and I’m pretty sure I’m not bisexual. What I am is a straight ally, something that I believe I’ve mentioned on this blog before. This means that the only way I could really celebrate International Coming Out Day was to share an image on Facebook of a name tag that says “Hello. I’m a Straight Ally.”

Yeah, I’m sure you’re thinking that I’m one of those people who think that “liking” or sharing a status on Facebook makes me an activist. Believe me when I say that I know better. The people who think clicking “like” on Facebook brings us closer to solving all of the world’s problems are irritating to be sure, and I hope I don’t come across as that kind of person. Still, I’d like to think sharing that image meant something. I am a straight GLBTQ ally, something that I think is still important.

It’s pretty clear that things have gotten a lot better for GLBTQ people, but they’re still far from perfect. For example, Minnesota has a constitutional amendment on the ballot next month that will define marriage as between one man and one woman. Same-sex marriage is already illegal in Minnesota, but a constitutional amendment would make legalization next to impossible. It would limit the civil rights of a large part of the population and effectively invalidate long-term same-sex relationships, relationships that I feel are just as special and important as any “traditional” heterosexual marriage. On top of this pretty blatant attack on civil rights, GLBTQ people are still treated as pariahs and freaks in many parts of this country. They face discrimination, harassment and even threats of violence just because of who they are.

The reason why I feel being a GLBTQ ally is so important is because it would be too easy for someone like me to turn a blind eye to all of this. I’m a white heterosexual male; I’m not personally affected by the plight of the GLBTQ population. I don’t have to worry about not being able to marry the Love of my life. I can go out with her in public and not have to worry about being harassed or attacked. When I hear about the prejudice faced by a queer person, I could just say “Well, that sucks,” and come home to my wife without giving it a second thought. A lot of people do exactly that. In fact, they’re all but expected to do exactly that. Many people still see homosexuality, bisexuality, transgenderism and all things queer as deviant, immoral and sinful, and us straight people are expected to heap scorn and ridicule onto queer people for not being “normal.” Some would say that I’m not supposed to side with queer people lest I be seen as one of them. I know this attitude isn't as prevalent as it was ten or fifteen years ago, but it’s still out there.

As a white heterosexual male, I’m part of the majority. I may not have a lot of influence in anything personally, but when I go out in public I’m still more likely to be acknowledged than a lot of other people. I have a voice, and as much as I hate to admit it, my voice is more likely to be heard above others just because of who I am. A recent report from the Williams Institute found that only about four percent of the country’s population identifies as gay, bisexual or transgender. That’s a fairly small minority, and if these people were left to stand alone they would remain marginalized. They need support just to have the same rights as everybody else. I’m happy to provide what little support I have to offer, and I’m always glad to find other straight allies who feel the same way.

For what it’s worth, I’m proud to be an ally of the GLBTQ community. I’m proud to stand up for the rights of others, even if those “others” aren't always popular. I can only hope that there are enough people out there who agree with me.