Dear LGBTQIA* (or LGBT) Community,
I’m straight. How do I fit into Pride Month?
This is kind of similar to the question of how white people fit into Black History Month. Being an ally in both situations is so important. That’s what you’ve taught me.
I’ve learned that learning is the most important thing. Educating myself on this community and its struggles is so important to getting past the prejudice and discrimination that surrounds the community. When you’ve lived your whole life straight with straight parents and siblings and straight friends, it can be really difficult to get outside of that bubble. It’s so much easier to stay comfortable in your own little world that kind of accepts gay people but would rather not have them part of society. It’s easy to say you know what it means and keep the bias in the back of your mind. But I thank this community for pushing me to just look it up and not be afraid to affirm those truths for myself. See what it means. See what it means to them. Understand the history and how it affects today’s problems. I’ve learned that the differences between our communities and the differences within them makes this world so intricate and complex.
Thank you for showing me that sexuality is not dangerous. It’s about the way your mind and body naturally behave, and it is innate. It’s a type of person that you are, and it isn’t hurting anyone else. It creates a unique and sometimes unpleasant childhood and adolescent experience that I will never fully understand because I just didn’t grow up that way. It’s living life in a society that places you in the minority. It’s living in a society where the majority may not treat you like a human being and more like a punch line. Thank you for showing me that embracing your sexuality is a beautiful thing, and that I should stand alongside and encourage those who do.
Thank you for showing me that life doesn’t revolve around being straight. For awhile it seemed like people of other sexualities or genders were shoving it in my face. I slowly came to the realization that they had grown up in a world where heterosexuality and cisgender society was being shoved in their faces. Being on the other side of that, I was so oblivious to how crippling that can be to someone who is trying to embrace what’s different about them. Growing up in a Christian home, I often wrestled with the controversy, but I am reminded by my faith that I am called to love on everyone, just as Jesus did. And I am proud to share that with people of all faiths, genders, and sexualities.
I’m heterosexual, I’m cisgender, I’m an ally, and I’m proud of that. I’m proud of all the LGBTQIA* accomplishments and victories this year. That’s how I fit into Pride month.
I encourage my het/cis friends to embrace this month too. Sure, you could actually go your whole life ignoring the LGBTQIA* population, not making any friends in that community, and staying silent in controversial conversations. But I’m giving you a fair warning: this is what the world looks like now, and the pull is undeniable. I can’t ignore it anymore, and neither should you. You’re going to have to pay attention at some point.
Your ally,
Morgan.
P.S. If you’re new to LGBTQIA* history, rights, or current issues, take a look at these links:
Where does Pride month come from?
