Straight people are our allies

[Prism]

I just wanted to share this as a bit solidarity.

I walked into work today (social services) and my boss immediately asked me if I was ok. Do I want to take today off? No, I have cases I'm itching to deal with.

But the fact that she asked.

So, thank you heterosexuals who get it. We appreciate you like crazy.

I wanted to break down and cry at her. I didn't. But, awesome boss.

[Behind the Aegis]

1. Some certainly are.

There are a few here who are awesome allies! Be it a tragedy like this or a gay purge, there are some straight people here of whom I can always count on to have my back and the collective back of the GLBT community!

[Prism]

6. I just want to thank people

Even my freakin parents called me and asked "Are you ok?" They've been ok with me for ages. But having them call and ask about my well being was like coming out all over again.

I'm a big, stupid, homo wreck.

[Behind the Aegis]

7. My mother called too and we are in Oklahoma!

She was worried we would be attending pride marches. We missed Tulsa's because my husband had to work. The next one is OKC's, but it is always so damn hot.

I understand you are a mess. I am so sorry for the pain you are enduring because of the people you know who were affected. I just found out a former student (not one of mine, and I didn't know him) was killed.

I got PMs from people here asking if I was OK and expressing sympathy and sorrow.

[awoke_in_2003]

9. My sister recently moved and hour or so

from Orlando, she could have been there. I was a bit tense until she returned my phone call.

[passiveporcupine]

11. Aside from being a big stupid homo wreck,

Are you OK?



This is going to take some time to recover from.

[ohheckyeah]

2. There's a lot of us

Straight people who want to help as best we can. Your boss is a good person.

Hope you will start the healing soon.

[JudyM]

15. Likely the best thing our straight allies can do is speak out against this

LGBT massacre's being viewed as about Islamic terrorism. It is about homophobia.. And the media and the politicians are deflecting it to the more politically expedient and media-palatable issue of terrorism. If it's terrorism, it's anti-LGBT terrorism. That uncomfortable fact is being subsumed in the outrage against guns and radical Islam. This is about anti-gay hatred and that's what needs to be investigated and explored in the press and fought by our politicians.

Please see this post by DUer Bad Dog, among others...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=1487297

[BlancheSplanchnik]

16. We are. I'm one.

My FB page is my outlet.

Great link. edit--perfect example of straight cluelessness.

[JudyM]

17. Thank you, Blanche. We need more like you!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

19. Hugs to you too!

Thanks! I try. Almost all my friends are gay--I can't imagine thinking GLBTQ are anything other than people.

I was in a relationship with a woman long ago. I learned on an experiential level that the body you're in is just the packaging.


I got misunderstood on FB last night ...that was upsetting.

Oh well, so what if people who don't know me tell me I'm a bad ally? Maybe it'll get smoothed out. Anyway, I know who I've been for all my life.

[ohheckyeah]

21. I had a discussion with a friend today and she didn't know

Islam was generally full of anti-gay hate. She seemed truly surprised. We talked about the massacre and she was able to relate it to the Sep. 2000 shooting in a local gay bar.

[JudyM]

25. Yeah, plenty of people barely follow anything below the headlines.

[KamaAina]

3. My LGBT boss is not in today.

It never occurred to me until now that this might be why. She gets very emotional about mass shootings. She sent out emails the whole day San Bernardino was happening. And now to have one targeting her community...

[cwydro]

4. Absolutely.

I've seen nothing but support in my city, and even out in the rural parts of the neighboring county where I work.

[demmiblue]

5. Thank you for sharing your experience.

We all need to stand up and support one another.

[sheshe2]

8. ...

[Warpy]

10. I'm impressed by that line of people in the hot Florida sun

waiting hours to donate blood. And yes, some of them were Muslims, donating even during this period of fasting, no food or water from sunrise to sunset.

LGBT people have more friends than they realize. The loudmouths might get all the attention, but the rest of us are aware of how many LGBT family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers we have.

[passiveporcupine]

12. donating even during this period of fasting, no food or water from sunrise to sunset.

I hope they break their fast for water after giving blood. That's not really a good thing to do on a hot day. And a drink of juice would be even better. This would be a rather special occasion.

The last time I gave blood I was lightheaded all day afterwards.

[sarge43]

18. They can break the fast for medical reasons

This certainly would qualify.

[passiveporcupine]

46. Thanks, that's a relief!

[sarge43]

47. Further, this would be an act of charity

One of the five pillars of the faith

[Staph]

34. I'm a trustee of my United Methodist church, here in West Virginia.

At our monthly meeting this evening, we discussed sponsoring a blood drive event on Sunday after church, inviting all of the churches in our neck of the woods. Our average church member is in her late 50s, but everyone was on board. We have several gay couples in the church and their well-being is important to all of us.

I'm so proud that our church takes "love thy neighbor" so seriously.

[Warpy]

35. Very true. I'm glad you guys are still out there

[OriginalGeek]

13. Please count me among your allies.

[FreeState]

14. My straight neighbor has a Gay Pride flag flying

(its not Pride month here, its in direct response to the terrorist/hate crime).

We could do it without our brothers and sisters of all orientations

[JackBeck]

20. I thank straight people all the time.

For continuing to make more of us

[closeupready]

22. Some are, some are fair-weather friends. Generally,

on a social level I keep them all at arms' distance. But K&R for you, prism.

[Sissyk]

23. Solidarity!!

Here's a real kicker for you, Prism. I'm in Tennessee. Horrible government if you are LGTB. From a plethora of Christian fundies, too (Democrats among them). The CEO of my company sent out a company wide email this morning stating employees could take their sick time this week, no questions ask, as long as the individual offices make sure they are covered.

Never seem him do this before.

Trump voter? Perhaps. But we are even getting large Corps and CEO's to care on step at a time. I know it's not soon enough for all my brothers and sisters, but your allies are still in the game with you.

Sending big hugs and love to you!!

[Ineeda]

24. Even the evil Comcast

has put a lovely rainbow-hued background on our home pages. A subtle yet clear symbol of, at least, support and sympathy.

[Rex]

26. I am sorry for you loss Prism.

Everyone here should have the LGBT communities back. Equality is a core progressive value.

[Aerows]

27. Sometimes they are.

Sometimes, they aren't.

I swear I'm going to absolutely lose my shit if I hear one more person say that this wasn't a direct result of hatred of gays. That this guy didn't think he was the judge, jury and executioner of people that did nothing but think differently than he did.

Dylan Roof went into a black church and executed people - nobody doubted that he was a racist.

There is way too much dancing around the subject. I'm speaking up about it because when people invest in a religion that says it is not only okay, but divinely guided to KILL other human beings, there is a big problem.

[noiretextatique]

36. I feel the same way...I lost it today on Facebook

After seeing several posts about Orlando not being the deadliest mass shooting in history. Several of my relatives and friends kept posting it over and over, ad nauseum. Of course, the post is technically true: there have been deadlier was killings of Native and Black people. However...2 days after a massacre: this us what you post!!!!!! This is what you are angry about? And the insult to injury: most of those murdered in Orlando were Latino and Black!!!! When I pointed this out to my cousin, after she went on about being tired of the murders of black and brown people not being recognized, she had nothing to say. It seems that GAY is all some people saw and heard, not Latino and Black. It is so infuriating, shocking, and sad.

[Silver_Witch]

39. So sorry...

I hear you! Fear and saddess make people say and do crazy things. I have experienced the same. Tomorrow will be a better day. They will get it!

[steve2470]

28. yes, I'm one of your allies, always have been

Solidarity with the LGBT community.

[MFM008]

29. With you all in good times and bad.

rights for all. Always.

[rbrnmw]

30. I stand with you Prism

[SCantiGOP]

31. Thank you, Prism

Straight or gay, we are all in the same race -- the human race.

Screw the haters.

[Skittles]

32. solidarity with my LGBT brothers and sisters

*always*

[progressoid]

33. Great boss you have.

I, sadly, had a boss who would be the opposite of that. He couldn't understand why I, a heterosexual, would defend LGBT people. Thankfully I no longer work for him.

[cali]

37. thank you. and right back at you

My LGBT friends have been such a vital part of my life for almost all of it.

[Silver_Witch]

38. Many more get it today than the past...

Love is winning many hearts. Not all yet - hopefully soon!

[Kimberly1990219]

40. yess

I'm straight, but my dad is gay and we happen to live in florida. the one night my dad didn't go out with his boyfriend on a saturday night this tragedy happened. i love my dad so much. I'm just heartbroken over this whole thing, the victims and their families. ugh! it hurts

[rurallib]

41. you are human - that's all I need to know

therefore you deserve life liberty and the pursuit of happiness - and certainly not to live in fear because of who you are.

I hope you can find peace.

[ScreamingMeemie]

42. Break down and cry at us any time you want.

[jwirr]

43. Many of us have family that could have been in that club. We

are totally with you and hope this never happens again.

[libodem]

44. Solidarity

[TimeToEvolve]

45. except when they are not!

which is quite often the case