Hey there my name is Sly, I’m a pansexual, I’ve been out of the closest to my family for a couple of years now, and have found acceptance when I didn’t think I ever would due to a past that involved my childhood church and family in that church not being supportive to the LGBT+ community in the past, I heard many insults growing up from adults and kids alike about people like me, and it hurt, it also made me scared about questioning my sexuality for a long ass time. I do know what it’s like to be harmed by non LGBT+ members, but I also knew what it was like to find allies from outside the community as I have only met a couple LGBT+ members IRL, it was a lot of good friends who were allies who stood by me that helped me become comfortable with who I am. So why am I bringing this up? Because I have had a friend who is one such ally, someone who has stood up for us when others have said terrible things about us, who has a couple of times in the past and even now become a victim of bullying from by members of the LGBT+ simply because she is straight. I don’t know these bullies personally, maybe they are taking their own bad experiences from non LGBT+ members/non allies and taking them out on someone, as this has included harassment saying things “why are you straight?” In the same derogatory way that many of us have heard from our bullies no doubt, alongside similar problems. Listen, I know that for most of us in the LGBT+ community, we have been hurt by people we trusted, strangers, and family simply for being born the way we are…..it makes things messy and sometimes makes us wanna hurt others back, but we can’t afford to do that. We can’t ever stop hate with hate, we NEED to stand together with not just fellow LGBT+ members but also all those who would stand by us, those who would gladly take the mean stares, rude comments, and yells with us, side by side. If we divide ourselves and don’t treat our allies with the same respect that we deserve and want, then how can we expect the same from others? We are a loving community, and we have to keep our hearts open for our allies. My friend if you end up reading this, I hope you are having a wonderful day and that you will always stand with us like you have, thank you for the support and kind words you have given me as well as others
