Thanking Our Straight Allies

It's been a real treat and privilege to be the guest blogger this week and interact with change.org-ers and I thought this post could reflect on some thoughts that bubbled to the surface from these past days of dialogue.

There's a lot of debate out there from within and outside of the gay community, not only about the state by state strategy for securing our equal rights, but also about whether that happens through legislatures (respect the voice of the people!) or judiciary (damn activist judges!). Comments on posts this week have given me pause to note that as Steve Chapman at reasononline wrote: "It's at moments like this that the framers of the Constitution begin to look even wiser than usual."

They knew that the rights of the minority could be steamrolled over by the will of the majority, so it's not out of the realm of what was intended by the founding fathers to empower the judiciary to secure protection for marginalized populations. At the same time, as a democracy, we need to build consensus around our shared values. Which is why, as Susan said this week: "Every straight ally who stands up for what is right and what is fair makes a huge difference."

It's by our straight friends and families, co-workers and acquaintances, all standing shoulder-to-shoulder with us on the front line saying "fair is fair" that tips the scales from being a minority group with a cause to a majority consensus with a will that compels legislatures to make laws that reflect its citizenry. And now, because our straight brothers and sisters have stood with us, and more are joining with us every day, most Americans favor equal rights for LGBT individuals.

What's even greater is the next generation that will inherit the world is overwhelmingly with us. By a six-to-one margin, young Americans support marriage equality and protections for LGBT people, according to a survey by Pew Charitable Trusts.

"Those sentiments are held by all ideological, partisan, racial, geographic, and religious groups. One out of two respondents said they know someone who is gay; knowing a gay person has a significant impact on attitudes."

Opponents to our cause tend to say we are undermining civilization. In fact, it's the opposite. We are upholding it where it is starting to crack and crumble. One of those shared American values is equality. The reason the gay rights movement has traction and resonates with society is not that we are asking for special treatment, but only equal treatment under the law.

Again, to our straight allies, a heartfelt thanks.

(Photo: Silent Witness PA (SWPA) is an organization of gay and straight allies dedicated to providing a non-confrontational buffer between those who condemn others based on their sexual orientation or identity and those they condemn.)