Who are those people you see wearing the rainbow pins that say ALLY?

ALLIES are:

people who, whether they themselves are gay or straight,support gay, lesbian, and bisexual people. It is never necessary to disclose your sexual orientation.

"safe" people to talk with if you are dealing with sexual orientation - either your own or that of a friend, or family member.

NOHS community members who provide support, recommend resources, and maintain confidentiality.

people who seek to educate the community, counter homophobic attitudes, and promote equal respect and treatment for everyone.

people who try to make school more inclusive and comfortable for gay, lesbian, and bisexual members of the community.

What does it mean to be an ALLY and wear the ALLY button?

I am an advocate for gay, lesbian and bisexual people.

I know that I will be making a difference in the lives of gay, lesbian and bisexual members of the campus community.

I am have the courage to take a stand for the dignity and worth of every human being.

I am designated as a "safe person" for someone who is gay, lesbian or bisexual, or who has a gay, lesbian, or bi friend or family member, to speak with. This means that I am committed to providing support and to maintaining confidentiality.

I will work to confront homophobia and heterosexism by demonstrating my support of people in various ways. This could include speaking up when a homophobic joke or stereotype is related, planning awareness activities, encouraging discussions about oppression, or looking within myself to unlearn my own "myths" that society has taught. I will offer my support to the extent of my own personal abilities.

Though I am an ally for lesbian women, gay men and bisexuals, I will understand that my allied actions will mean little if I simultaneously put down other groups of people on the basis of their race, religion, culture, gender, social status, physical or mental abilities.

WHY COME OUT?
Six reasons why it's important for gay-friendly straight people to come out in support of their gay friends and family

It's good for you. It feels good to stand up for what you believe is right. It also builds up your own strength and courage when you do it in not-so-friendly situations.

It shows open support for our gay friends and family members. We live in a culture and legal system based on heterosexuality that is openly and pervasively hostile to homosexual orientation. For us to show support for our gay friends and family is particularly meaningful for that reason.

It helps support the gay people we meet who we don't even know are gay. Lots of people are necessarily closeted or quiet about their orientation. Nevertheless when we are openly gay-friendly, invariably we will show it around gay people we don't realize are gay, yet they are encouraged by our support.

It helps support the straight people we meet who have gay family members. One of the more difficult passages for many parents is learning and accepting that their child is gay. Just as we don't always know who around us is gay, we're equally unlikely to know all who have close family members who are gay. Again, when we are openly gay-friendly, we show support for those people who are struggling with acceptance of their gay family member.

It helps educate straight people who do not have gay friends or relatives. Many, if not most straight people are uncomfortable and frightened by homosexuality and some are outright hostile or intolerant. It is therefore imperative that we educate ourselves so we can give answers that will allay their fears, so that they will realize that gay people pose no threat to anyone and that they are loving and caring people.

It lets extremely homophobic people know that we have another view and it is not just a view held exclusively by gay people.