Hunt says she sees herself as a supporter,
not a leader, within the movement for LGBT
equality.
"For me the primary role of an ally in any
struggle is to work with their own group be- .
cause your group is the one oppressing other
people," she says. "1 see my role as an ally
predominately actually with the straight com
munity —to say 'Come on people, we need
to get our act together and stop doing this'
— because whether I want to be or not, I'm a
part of a group of people oppressing another
group of people."
Mirrored by her comments at last year's
march and rally. Hunt says a straight ally role
should be in "responding and not trying to
lead someone else's struggle."
She says: "When the LGBT community
says we would like you to be a part of this is
when you come. You don't try to come into
other people’s struggles and lead them. It's
so important that straight people understand
that it's never their role — anymore than it's
the role of a white person to lead a black
organization or black struggle or a man to lead
a women's organization or women's struggle
— I think us straight folks have to recognize
that it's not our role to lead, to determine what
should be done, to define the strategy, the
tactics."
And, despite her near constant support.
Hunt also believes there are times when
straight allies can say "no," and she's counted
only one time she's done so herself—when
CRANE presented a Valentine's Day card to
anti-LG BT Commissioner Bill James.
"There was no way I could sign something
that says 'We love you Bill James,' so I had to
say I can’t do it," Hunt says. "That's the only
time I've said no because most of the time
I’m happy to support So, 1 do think as an ally
you have the right sometimes to say, 'I can't
go down that road,' but at the same time pre
dominately we want to be responsive to what
the oppressed group wants and needs from
us, and really to keep our folks in check."
She adds that it's also important that
straight allies never expect gratitude. "That's
another thing I try to convince people who are
allies. You can't expect people to be grateful
when you take your foot off their neck."
Recognizing privilege. Hunt concludes, is
among the most important roles of an ally:
"Oftentimes it is very hard for people in
the oppressive group to recognize how much
privilege they have and for straight people,
just like white people, it's so taken for granted
how privileged you are. I think perhaps for
straight people it should be easier to let it
go but when you look at the reluctance for
people to accept that gay people should have
the same rights as straight people to marry if
they want to get married or to have inheri
tance rights, to walk publicly in who they are
and know that that's a safe thing to do is such
a huge privilege that a lot of straight people do
not understand what they have.
"And, so I think when you have that kind
of privilege it's your responsibility to want to
extend that privilege to other people and for
it to become a right for everyone as opposed
to a privilege for your group, to recognize that
what you have as a privilege is really a human
right and it is a responsibility to make sure
that other people have that basic human right
also. It's not just about being accepted into the
military. It’s about the right to be accepted as
the human being that you are and everything
that comes with that"
[Ed. Note—Slated to appear online with
our May 15 print edition content this article's
publication was delayed due to several
technical difficulties. It was published online
May 19 and reprinted in this issue as well. We
regret any inconveniences.]
About CCSJ
Rrst established as an affiliate of the
National Center for Community and Justice,
the Charlotte Coalition for Social Justice
(CCSJ) was founded in 2006. The group and
its small, but dedicated staff works with youth
in public and private schools across the
Charlotte region hosting seminars, work
shops, camps and conferences throughout
the year. The group focuses on social justice,
inclusion, equality and community engage
ment education.
Nyala Hunt executive director, says CCSJ
is committed to creating a local community
that is both inclusive and equitable for all its
citizens.
For more information, visit
charlottecoalition.org.::
Soulforce concludes ride
LYNCHBURG, Va. — Soulforce concluded
its fourth annual Equality Ride on April 23.
Twenty-five members of Soulforce Q, the
organization's young adult program, visited
t5 university campuses on a 50-day tourto
advance changes in policies and practices
that discriminate against LGBTQ students and
faculty.
"I'm incredibly proud of the work everyone
did this year," said Caitlin MacIntyre, director
for the 2010 Soulforce Q Equality Ride. "The
progress we were able to make through dia
logue and non-violent action will help improve
the treatment of a number of LGBTQ students
oround the country, and together constitute an
ioiportant step forward in improving treatment
of LGBTQ students everywhere. For a number
of these schools, being able to discuss LGBTQ
jssues with school administrators is a victory
'0 and of itself, and places us on the path for
''''orking toward and winning more tangible,
substantive victories."
"Soulforce grew out of respect and admi
ration for the courage and convictions of spiri
tual leaders who challenged institutionalized
discrimination in all of its forms — Jesus, Rev.
Dr. Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi,"
said Executive Director Rev. Dr. Cindi Love.
"As our Riders approach leaders of
colleges and universities, they encounter
resistance and even arrest just as Jesus, Dr.
King and Gandhi did," Love noted. "Thankfully,
these challenges are worth the price paid by
these courageous young adults. They have
created safe spiritual space in which students
and faculty can address their fears and talk
openly about intimidation and harassment due
to religious bigotry."
A successful encounter was had at
Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C.
Soulforce met with students looking to estab
lish a QSA at the school, though it is unclear
whether the school's administration will ap
prove of such an organization.
For more information, visit
www.soulforce.org.
— from PRWeb resources
One Nation with Justice for All.
Hamilton Hill Jewelry thanks qnotes readers for voting us
The Best Locally-Owned LGBT-Friendly Specialty Store
in the 2010 QList Best of the Carolinas Readers’ Pick.
Because Love is a Human Right.
amwzon m
INTERNATIONAL D E S 1 G N E R j E W E L RY
905 West Main - Brightleaf Square - Durham
919.683.1474 - WWW.HAMILT0NHILLJEWELRY.COM
CHARLOTTE
■V- ’ ^ ^
For all the QNotes - QList voters who voted for
Pride Charlotte
as the
“Best Pride Celebration in the Carolinas”
Thank You!
To show our appreciation, we would like to offer you a discount
to our upcoming party/fundraiser at
Closet on Friday, July 9
with DJ Keoki from the “Party Monster” movies
Go to pridecharlotte.com and use
promo code QList for your discount.
Again - thank you - and come out and
party with us and DJ Keoki at Closet on July 9.
May 29-June 11.2010 qnotes 13