The LGBTQ+ community is vast, with a broad spectrum that can make nearly anyone feel included. However heterosexual people question where they fit in. Supporters of the movement have applied the term “ally” or “straight ally.” Jenn T. Grace, a speaker, author and businesswoman for the LGBTQ+ community, defines “ally” and “straight ally” as “a heterosexual person who supports equal civil rights, gender equality, LGBT[Q+] social movements and challenges homophobia and transphobia.”
With the growing increase of acceptance of the community, events known collectively as Pride Parades or Pride Marches have become commonplace. There has been a growing debate about whether straight allies should be allowed at Pride events. Some ask that straight allies don’t insert themselves into LGBTQ+ spaces since the events are held for the community itself and is a kind of sanctuary, while others appreciate the support at these events.
Many Winthrop students who are part of the LGBTQ+ community have strong thoughts about this issue. Overwhelmingly, these students are appreciative of allies and their efforts to make the LGBTQ+ community feel welcome.
Brooke Mims, president of Winthrop’s LGBTQ+ organization GLoBAL, said that when she sees allies at Pride she feels supported.
“It is really important to have [their] support at pride, because they can help us in other areas that we probably wouldn’t be able to get to and access ourselves,” Mims said.
However there is worry that a line could be crossed. If allies at Pride show more pride for their own efforts to be inclusive than for the LGBTQ+ people who have made this movement possible, their voices could become louder than those they should be lifting. MJ Foster, vice president of GLoBAL said he agrees with these sentiments.
“I do not believe heterosexual/cisgender people should speak over the voices of LGBTQ+ people, because they lack the experience that we do and therefore cannot speak for us as a whole,” said Foster.
Talking about the improvements allies could make with their participation in Pride, Mims agrees with Foster.
“[Allies should be] there, but not talking over LGBTQ voices. Just being in back and being there for moral support and not just trying to take over and talk over them,” Mims said.
Another positive of allies participating in Pride that was pointed out by both Mims and Foster, is that this inclusion gives closeted LGBTQ+ people a way to celebrate themselves and their community.
“It’s also important for LGBTQ+ people who are in the closet still. This gives them a way to enjoy pride without being outed, which could be dangerous,” Foster said.
Many allies want to attend Pride as a way to support friends and family who are a part of the community. Going to a celebration of their loved ones community is a way to show solidarity and support in a fun, exciting way. Reagan Cady, a junior at Winthrop, recently attended her second Pride event in Charlotte.
“I like going with my friends who are a part of the gay culture and just watching them experience it and having fun with them,” Cady said.
Pride is a celebration of the progress within the LGBTQ+ community and to restrict this celebration away from the allies who have helped promote the community in a positive way might dim the brightness of the celebration. In response to negative reactions from some LGBTQ+ people, Cady said that while she does feel that she should be able to attend Pride, “it’s also not my place to say ‘I should be allowed’, if my friends who are of a different sexuality said ‘I feel uncomfortable with allies going’, then of course I wouldn’t go, but if some stranger on the Internet tells me then, sorry.” Cady makes a good point, in that, from location to location, the LGBTQ+ community may differ in opinion. Some individuals in the community may have negative feelings toward allies attending Pride for personal reasons. These feelings should not be invalidated and should be respected by the allies close to this person.
Overwhelmingly, Winthrop students agree that allies should be allowed to attend Pride and show their support to the community. As long as boundaries are not overstepped and respect is given to the people of the LGBTQ+ community, they should be welcomed with open arms. Pride events are fun, joyful events, created to celebrate the community and all people should be able to attend.
Contributors: Emily Cromer and Victoria Howard