I'm heterosexual. What can I do to support civil rights for GLBT Americans?

[LucyParsons]

I volunteer in a feminist bookstore and speak out against bigotry whenever I hear it, including with members of my conservative, "Christian" family.

What else can straight people do to ensure that our fellow GLBT Americans' rights are respected (I am of the view that everyone inherently has the "rights" - they're just not protected by the government - so I hesitate to use phraseology like "give you rights", because I find that demeaning and inaccurate).

What do YOU want us to do? What would be most helpful?

[Warpy]

1. Keep standing up to bigotry

Nobody in my hearing gets to voice it unchallenged. I try to keep it light and humorous, not slipping into a harangue, because I've noticed that's the best way to get phobes to think about where their personal boundaries are.

Other than that, unless we're finally consulted on the subject by the powers that be, all we can do is write letters to the powers that be in an attempt to change their minds, or at least tell them that their more literate constituents have thought about the subject and don't see a problem in assuring civil rights and responsibilities for all of us.

[TechBear_Seattle]

2. Just keep doing what you are doing

The only thing else I would suggest is occasionally to write your local, state and federal legislators to either thank them for supporting equal rights or to berate them for failing to uphold equal rights, as appropriate.

And thanks. :toast:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

3. if you have extra money donate to hrc or lambda legal

otherwise it seems like you are already our ally :)

[FreeState]

4. Keep on top of your elected officials and talk with everyone you know

about GLBT equality. Its important that we reach out to everyone and get them behind us - and the best way to do this is through education and dialog. Dont be afraid to call people on the slightest bit of bias. I use to work for a women's domestic violence shelter and they would always refer to an abuser on the phone as a he. All it took was a little education and now they always ask how they are related to the abuser first to find out the gender. Its little things like that that do in the long run make a huge difference IMO.

Thanks for standing up for us. Yu will never know how grateful we as a community are for our non-gay friends and supporter.

[DarkTirade]

5. Keep asking questions like this. :)

[LucyParsons]

6. Thanks, everybody!

I know, as a feminist, that I wish more self-described "supporters" would actually ask us what they can do to help, and LISTEN to our responses, as opposed to constantly justifying their own bias while priding themselves on the fact that they aren't misogynists in the in-your-face sense. So it makes sense to me that I do the same thing about GLBT rights, since I can't personally experience the discrimination.

:hi:

[ccharles000]

7. Just keep being a great friend to the GLBT.

:hug:

[swimmernsecretsea]

8. Right away, I just want to say thank you.

You've done quite a bit just by asking. Really. Some go for a long time without thinking that there's anything they could contribute. Knowing you can make a difference is huge. It's no small thing to understand that by your actions, even small ones, you could put be a drop of water that turns into a great river and changes the landscape.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Don't be silent.

Someone makes a joke about gay people. Or they sneer when they see a same-sex couple on television. Or they express an ignorant opinion, and expect everyone to agree.

Say something. It can be small, like "I don't think that's funny" or "Those sort of jokes offend me. Please stop." Be gentle. Sometimes ignorance needs a gentle hand to guide them to the right direction. Say, "I know how you feel, but I disagree, and if you want, we can talk about it."

2. Vote.

Yes, it seems obvious. But how many times do we know of candidates who are friendly to LGBT issues and need the support? Contribute to the good of society by expressing your point of view at the voting booth. There are constant efforts to erode our freedoms and use legal means to prevent us from being free to love those who we love. You can go the extra mile and volunteer for political efforts, and assist in voting precincts, but doing just the one thing will be great.

3. Volunteer. Donate. Contribute.

A friend of mine works for an emergency hotline. Most of the calls he gets are hangups, pranks calls, wrong numbers. But once, a few times, he gets that call from a 14 year old in a small town where everyone knows him and his family and hears how that child, that child wants to put a rope around his neck.

You've made me think you're understanding and empathetic. I bet you have reserves of strength you didn't even know you had. I have volunteered many times...and you know what? I have never come away thinking I shouldn't have done it. I always come away with a story, or an experience.

Donation. Well, not all of us are rich. I hear all the time about huge cash gifts and think, I just can't do it. I can't even afford a tank of gas right now. But nobody ever said you had to drop a sack of gold. $10 going to an emergency fund is like that river I told you about, made of drops of rain that fell somewhere far away. All of that put together is a force to be reckoned with. And does it have to be a check or a pile of cash? We've all heard about libraries getting rid of "Heather has Two Mommies" or some other book that offended the sensibilities of someone. Books are good. They don't have a size, and they bring light and knowledge and comfort to whomever opens them up. A homeless shelter, a women's shelter, a low-income children's activities center. Some child will find that book, and I swear to you, they will thank you. What about a bag of groceries, or that great lasagna you know how to make? Open Hand will love you. And all you did was open your pantry and find a few things.

4. Be. (an example)

People learn from what they see. Bring families together. Bring people together. Don't push, but having a gathering where everyone is welcome lets people know that they are as good as everyone else. There is nothing like a feeling that you get from being included. Included in the conversation, the party, the wedding, the hug.

5. Join in!

Hey, you on the sidelines of the parade. You know what it looks like to be walking down the center of Market Street in San Francisco? It's amazing! Nobody said you have to be gay or lesbian or transgendered to be in the parade. Hell, we'd love to have you! Can you party like a rock star? No? Well, at my age, it's not easy either. But just come to the party. I recall going to a MoveOn.org party when the votes were coming in, and it became apparent that the democrats weren't just going to break even, but be in the majority. That was fun. Everyone was hugging and laughing and everyone was smiling. I want that feeling. It becomes contagious.


Those were just the free things. Tell me how it all works out.

[libnnc]

9. someone posted this up thread but it should be repeated

keep on your local politicians, congresscritters and legislators. Pressure at the local level is very effective.

Thank you for your kindness and friendship. :hi:

edit to add:

if you aren't already a member...check out your local chapter of PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)

http://community.pflag.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=194

[baby_mouse]

10. No-one's ever asked me that question. I don't know what to say...

:hug: aw...

Find out about famous gay people? (Alan Turing's a good 'un. Pretty much all his fault Hitler lost WWII, from a certain POV)

Find out about PFLAG?

TBH, if you're able to dedicate some effort and have in interest, find out some history about gay people and some writing about issues gay people and read a bit. It helps a lot in discussions...

Can't think of anything else that isn't even more patronising that what I already wrote!

[uberllama42]

13. Also the father of computer science, BTW

I never thought about Turing as an example in support of GLBT rights, but he'd be excellent. Especially since he committed suicide after being 'convicted' under the homophobic legal system in Britain. He's easily one of the most important people of the 20th century, and yet almost no one has ever heard of him.

[niyad]

11. is it okay with GLBT if I pray for a tornado to take out the wbc and its thugs?

[joeybee12]

12. Asking is a good start...thanks...how about the Golden Rule?

Don't want to get all religious, but just treat others as you'd like to be treated. Sounds simple, but we rarely do this.

[LucyParsons]

14. Thanks again for the great responses, folks

I appreciate it.

:hi:

[one mean sheath]

15. get out there!

get active, get visible, and work work work.
there are tons of glbt(qia...) and queer advocacy and activist groups around who always need more help and numbers. the more people that are actively involved, the more visible and unavoidable the issues become. you can do more traditional activism, and there's always more radical direct action to be done.
keep being awesome, too. that's big.

[terrya]

16. Thank you so much. May I offer a suggestion?

You may want to join this fine, truly wonderful organizatio...PFLAG.

http://community.pflag.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=194&srcid=-2

[Oeditpus Rex]

17. I registered last night to volunteer with this group:

Equality For All