Why I'm a Gay-Lover.

[offog]

I'm a middle-aged straight white woman who has always been sympathetic to the GLBT community, but in the last couple of years, I've become more serious about supporting the community.

About 4 blocks from my home, there's a small building with a big rainbow-patterned sign. For years I never thought anything of it. Then late in 2003, I found out it was the city's gay club. Shortly after that, a local Member of Parliament (MP), Larry Spencer, made some homophobic statements during an interview. It was the usual stuff about a Big Gay Conspiracy to take over the world and recruit children.

I ended up joining the club partly to show my support for gay rights, and partly because I was looking for a hang-out close to home. Well, it turned into something much more. I've ended up going to Pride Parades and writing letters to the editor to help support the fight against homophobia. Half the reason I do this is because the people at the club have been very good to me, so I feel that I owe the GLBT community something.

I've struggled with depression since childhood, and I've been under treatment for it nearly my whole adult life. One of the things that goes with that is a tendency to isolate myself. I tend not to get out enough. But having a "local pub" close to home makes it easier to get out among people more. (This is especially important during those long Canadian prairie winters.) The club has not only been good to me, it's been good for me.

Another major influence is one of my gay political comrades, who I'll call Joe. I've worked in 4 election campaigns where Joe has been the campaign manager. He's got the best political smarts I've ever come across, and I've been active in politics for 30 years. At the same time, Joe is also a decent guy. I trust him to do what's right, not just what's political.

Joe has a bit of a following in our party, although I'm not entirely sure he knows it. He's smart and personable enough that he could become a major player if he wanted to, but he just doesn't have that hunger for power. It's one of the things I love about him. He makes me aspire to be a better person.

So many people worry about gays being a bad influence. The GLBT people I hang out with are great. They've kept me out of trouble. My life would be a lot less fun without them.

[NathanATX]

This made my day! Thank you for your courage & generosity.
Nathan

[Gennee]

Offog, we need more people like you. Thank you so much for your love and support.

Gennee

[antiochian]

Hugs! I'm very grateful for people like you. Straight allies are vital to the ongoing struggle of acheiving equality. Thank you for taking a stand with us!!

[tdogg]

Go Offog!!!

Great post. It's nice to feel welcome and loved, like we belong. It's less about our sexual orientation and more about our heart-felt connections. Thanks for being you!

[offog]

Thanks to everyone for the nice responses.

[HELENz]

Another straight ally here. I unfortunately have not been very involved, myself. I always make it a point to make my opinion known, though. My friends KNOW very well my opinions about gays, lesbians, gay marriage, homophobia, religious oppression, etc. Several of them are at odds with me (What do I expect? I go to a Christian college), but I don't let that deter me from loving and respecting the rights of those who are LGBT. I will tell anyone who will listen that I am a strong supporter of same-sex marriage. I wish I could have been living in California or Maine when it was put to a vote - It wouldn't have changed anything, but I would have had a voice.

I am, however, EXTREMELY excited for SoulForce's visit to my school. Malone University, if you must know. I volunteered to help. First time I've actually done something useful. (=

Offog, I love your post. Especially "The GLBT people I hang out with are great. They've kept me out of trouble. My life would be a lot less fun without them." - I second that. I haven't had that many friends who are GLBT, but all of the ones I've had have been AWESOME!