W hen I first came to UNC, I
was blown away by all of the
support for LGBTIQ individuals, h’rom
the rainbow pins and buttons to the Safe
Zone signs on a number of professors’
offices, dorm rooms, and doctors’ office
at student health. It seemed that wherever
I turned, there was some form of support
and recognition for LGBTIQ individuals.
However I started to reaLi2e that the
majority of people wearing these pins
and displaying their Safe Zone signs were
either themselves LGBTIQ identified or
straight females. \’^ery rarely did I come
across a straight guy who had some visual
evidence of support. I eventually managed
to find a few, but it was like finding a
needle in a haystack!
This lack of visual support from straight
males seemed perplexing, because during
my time here at UNC, I’ve come across
many straight males, whether in class or
at parties, who are incredibly supportive
and, as we say in the community; “family friendly.” Yet, rarely would they wear any visual sign of support and, if presented with the option
of wearing a pin or putting up their Safe Zone sign, they would shy away. It was it as if behind closed doors was the only place they would
show their “pride.”
This got me thinking. What impact does this lack of visibility of straight males have on the LGBTIQ community and our movement for
equal rights?
First off this lack of visibility' creates the perception that there are no allies among the straight males on campus. This perception,
regardless of how false it is, impacts our community in two ways. One is that it is perceived that there are no straight male allies and that
homosexuality is still a taboo or forbidden topic to breach with heterosexual men. In my opinion, this hampers any form of discussion and
further understanding. The second is that because there is a lack of visibility among straight male allies, this creates the feeling of being the
only one, and that fear of isolation may further cause straight male allies to shy away from being visible.
10 Spring 2010
Missing Piece
of the Puzzle;
Straight Male
Allies
By Matt Bailey