The colors of the LGBTQ pride flag is seen in the letter ‘a’ written in the middle of the banner.
Instead, the ally pride flag uses only the 6-colored one, sans the colors pink and turquoise. However, you should know that the straight ally flag does not have the original eight-colored flag made by Baker. Baker’s colorful flag was first hoisted during the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade on 1978, with famous gay rights activist Harvey Milk bearing it for all to see. Baker used the colors of the rainbow to represent unity amid diversity within the LGBTQ community itself. The LGBTQ pride flag was invented by army veteran and LGBTQ member Gilbert Baker in 1977. This specific flag for heterosexual allies was made by combining the straight flag and the LGBTQ pride flag. There are no accounts as to who designed the straight ally flag, but we do know it was first used in the 2000s. History and Meaning Behind the Straight Ally FlagĬonsidering the importance and impact of straight allies in the ongoing battle for gender equality, at some point, an official straight ally flag was invented. It’s a personal process that involves reflection. Integration is a slow process of discovery, action, and awareness, not just of social injustices, but of what he or she has been doing to address that. This is knowing that an ally has imbibed the change he or she wants to happen in society. Straight allies who join the Pride march, who go out of their way to craft legislation and end systemic oppression against the LGBTQ community belong to this level. These are allies who know their privilege and are willing to act on it. In other words, these are heterosexuals who don’t discriminate against any member of the LGBTQ community and that’s about it. Level 1: AwarenessĪllies on this level recognize their privilege over other sectors but are not involved in the fight for gender equality. However, just like any allyship, there are certain levels of being empathetic to a cause. Levels of AllyshipĪs an active supporter of the LGBTQ community, a straight ally also has to deal with a few roadblocks and be willing to challenge that. While people have made significant progress towards achieving gender equality in different parts of the word, a straight ally knows that the fight is far from over. This simply means you tolerate your LGBTQ friends.Ī straight ally is any heterosexual or cisgender person who recognizes the inherent discrimination faced by members of the LGBTQ community because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Who are Straight Allies?īeing friends with a gay man or hanging out with a lesbian doesn’t automatically make you a straight ally. While heterosexual and cisgender people are technically not a part of this community, straight allies are more than welcome to stand up and fight for the rights of LGBTQ people. The LGBTQ community consists of people from all walks of life and obviously those who identify themselves as part of the long and colorful gender spectrum.