What is a straight ally?
While there are many out and empowered LGBT students who are more than capable of standing up for their own rights, straight allies have a special role to play in the Safe Space programs. An ally is a member of the majority or dominant group who works to end oppression by supporting and advocating for the oppressed population. The work of allies has been a historically effective way of changing the thinking of the dominant culture. In your social studies class, you might have learned about the Freedom Riders, a group of students, ministers, and others who rode interstate buses in an effort to test the enforcement of desegregation laws. Many of the Freedom Riders were White allies who stood up for the civil rights of Black citizens. Their work brought media attention to racist practices and helped force bus companies to abide by the law. A straight ally is any non-LGBT person who supports and stands up for the rights of LGBT people. It is important for straight allies to demonstrate tha
