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Discussion: Bring Straight Supporters to Pride Events!Reported This is a featured thread

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ProcessforChange
Bring Straight Supporters to Pride Events!
Jun 4 2009, 8:14 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 4 2009, 8:17 PM EDT
There are Pride events happening nationwide. The gay and lesbian community and organizations, have made wonderful changes but, it has been a slow process. While I have faith that the gay and lesbian community will push through, I think it would happen faster with “straight support”. I am suggesting that each person attending a Pride event , bring someone who supports them and “SHOW Their PRIDE”. That means twice the voices. Supporters should stand out by wearing something like a t-shirt with PFLAGG or Straight for Equality. I will proudly go with my Son to this event. I will wear my Pride moto on a T-shirt- “I love all my children- even the straight one.” I will openly support my other friends and loved ones too. If you agree with what I am suggesting, then please pass this on to anyone who might care. If you are a supporter, please attend Pride events with your friends or family members. 5  out of 5 found this valuable. Do you?    
Keyword tags: eqaulity Help Pride prop 8 support
mstikl1
mstikl1
1. RE: Bring Straight Supporters to Pride Events!
Jun 20 2009, 1:30 AM EDT | Post edited: Jun 20 2009, 1:30 AM EDT
RIght on the money!
This is a numbers game, and more straight allies = more votes = more power!
"I love all my children - even the straight one" You are so funny :) 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
aicram62
aicram62
2. RE: Bring Straight Supporters to Pride Events!
Jun 20 2009, 8:00 AM EDT | Post edited: Jun 20 2009, 8:00 AM EDT
bring GAY supporters to STRAIGHT events!!! I did not see a group of HRC or ENC t-Shirts at the emergency HK on J Budget Crisis Mon June 15th at 5pm. What's up with that? 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    

ProcessforChange
3. RE: Bring Straight Supporters to Pride Events!
Jun 25 2009, 1:16 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 25 2009, 1:16 PM EDT
I agree. I beleive in order to blur the lines, we work as one group towards the same goals. Do you find this valuable?    

ProcessforChange
4. RE: Bring Straight Supporters to Pride Events!
Jun 25 2009, 1:22 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 25 2009, 1:22 PM EDT
IThank you.It is funny but more than that, it is true. 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
MarcusMaichle
MarcusMaichle
5. RE: Bring Straight Supporters to Pride Events!
Jun 26 2009, 7:52 AM EDT | Post edited: Jun 26 2009, 7:52 AM EDT
Well said. I fully agree with the thought of reciprocating that support. In Chicago, the Gay Liberation Network is highly active in Peace efforts, Immigrant rights and labor unions. I'm starting to see more of that in Milwaukee as well.

Milwaukee held its Pridefest two weeks ago, and I was so thankful, as I am every year, to see the PFLAG moms and dads at the festival grounds entrance with their positive signs of affirmation, "God blessed me with a gay son", "Love Makes a Family," and such. I'm not sure if this is the official name for the practice, but I call this the PFLAG Wall of Love to keep out the hate. Their presence has been a blessing in itself, and we've even seen a reduction in the presence of anti-gay hate mongers. One mom told me that she was actually disappointed in the lack of anti-gay protesters this year. "They were OUR entertainment," she said.

If your local pride celebration has such a wall of love, be sure to stop and thank those allies for being there. Give them a hug like I did. (busting into tears like I did is optional)
1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
sliquecallahan
sliquecallahan
6. RE: Bring Straight Supporters to Pride Events!
Jun 27 2009, 9:45 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 27 2009, 9:45 PM EDT
Everything I read in this discussion is so great. What a great hope and vision for change--a change so missing in our past efforts. Not only does in increase the tremendous power in numbers, but it shows our willingness to act on the diversity we want. There will always be hatred and biggotry. It's just so exciting to be accepting of the good in people too. It makes us stronger and loving, and that is what progress is. Thank you so much for reminding of that on the weekend of the real pride day. 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
mstikl1
mstikl1
7. RE: Bring Straight Supporters to Pride Events!
Jun 27 2009, 10:53 PM EDT | Post edited: Jul 2 2009, 10:56 PM EDT
"Well said. I fully agree with the thought of reciprocating that support. In Chicago, the Gay Liberation Network is highly active in Peace efforts, Immigrant rights and labor unions. I'm starting to see more of that in Milwaukee as well.

Milwaukee held its Pridefest two weeks ago, and I was so thankful, as I am every year, to see the PFLAG moms and dads at the festival grounds entrance with their positive signs of affirmation, "God blessed me with a gay son", "Love Makes a Family," and such. I'm not sure if this is the official name for the practice, but I call this the PFLAG Wall of Love to keep out the hate. Their presence has been a blessing in itself, and we've even seen a reduction in the presence of anti-gay hate mongers. One mom told me that she was actually disappointed in the lack of anti-gay protesters this year. "They were OUR entertainment," she said.

If your local pride celebration has such a wall of love, be sure to stop and thank those allies for being there. Give them a hug like I did. (busting into tears like I did is optional)
"
San Luis Obispo Pride coming up in July - thanks for the reminder. Bless you too Marcus for your activism! I'm not the first to say it, but CIVIL RIGHTS for all means just that and if we can cross the border wearing our colors, maybe others will feel empowered to do the same for our cause..... THANKS Do you find this valuable?    
JBReiter
JBReiter
8. RE: Bring Straight Supporters to Pride Events!
Jun 28 2009, 12:32 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 28 2009, 12:32 PM EDT
Thanks for talking about us straight allies. I've been going to Northampton Pride for the past few years (and sometimes NYC Pride, my old hometown). At first I was self-conscious that real gay people would say I didn't belong! It's nice to feel welcomed. As a feminist, I love Pride because it's also about finding your own creative, individual way to express your gender. This year my church marched for the first time and we had about half straight allies and half GLBT members.

I agree with MarcusMaichle that it could help for GLBT groups to build alliances with other political groups, but does that run the risk of assuming that all gay people and their straight allies are also liberal-left? Not all HRC supporters want to be pro-choice, for instance. Other people's thoughts? Any Log Cabin Republicans out there? Do you find this valuable?    

decidela
9. RE: Bring Straight Supporters to Pride Events!
Jun 28 2009, 1:18 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 28 2009, 1:18 PM EDT
This is the ticket for success. I've been out for 33 years and now it is clear to me that we must have the "out" visible support of our straight friends to arrive at real equality. This is a great idea to ask straight friends and colleagues to be visible for gay rights. We need you straight friends, and this is your time because we cannot do this alone. Do you find this valuable?    
scpajor
scpajor
10. RE: Bring Straight Supporters to Pride Events!
Jun 29 2009, 10:33 AM EDT | Post edited: Jun 29 2009, 10:33 AM EDT
I think you're right, and that's a great idea. 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    

Honeylove24
11. RE: Bring Straight Supporters to Pride Events!
Jul 3 2009, 6:41 PM EDT | Post edited: Jul 3 2009, 6:41 PM EDT
I just recently came back from San Francisco PRIDE this past weekend. I invited my "straight" brother and his girlfriend. They said that they have never had so much fun in their life. As a straight man he did not feel uncomfortable at all, he actually said he has never felt so welcomed and comfortable in his life. He said that it is unfortunate that alot more people are not accepting. If they were to see and hear what our community is all about they would be more accepting. I told him that if he feels comfortable to tell people about his experience it would come better from a "staright" man. He lives in Sacramento CA and us in Los Angeles CA.
THIS IS A GREAT IDEA!! Do you find this valuable?    

ProcessforChange
12. RE: Bring Straight Supporters to Pride Events!
Jul 8 2009, 10:17 AM EDT | Post edited: Jul 8 2009, 10:17 AM EDT
I am hearing the same type of responses. This is great news! I think we have to do more of this and get the word out. We need to make this everyday conversation, and not just on these forums. No disrepect to " the impact" or similar groups but the general public is not going to search for these type of discussion groups unless they have a specific interest or need. My sister, whom I love dearly, doesn't understand why 2 of my 3 children are gay and how I can be supportative, She is never going to read this blog or come to this site. She battles acceptance within herself. She does however, visit personal pages like facebook and such but she doesn't go to Processforchange pages and neither do my "friends". Where I am going with this, is that in order for acceptance, people need to see and hear about it regularly. The shock factor has to be removed. So my "assignment" is to go to my facepage and make a comment that arouses this type of dicussion. If anyone is interested in helping me here, please become a friend of mine on facebook and put " impact" in the subject so I know where you came from......Breina Montalvo Do you find this valuable?