There is no better way to educate, celebrate and highlight the similarities of our diverse relationships than through our own voice.
Straight allies need to know that there are others just like them fighting along side our LGBT friends, family, coworkers and neighbors for equality as well as showing the LGBT community that “straight doesn’t have to mean narrow.” It is equally important for the LGBT community to share how discrimination has impacted them as individuals and families or simply to relay the joys and the ups and downs that we all face.
If you want to express why you as a straight ally want to get involved or simply want to talk about your loving relationship we are asking YOU to be the voice of Allied for Equality. If you would like to share your story and become a member of Allied for Equality, please email cstaerk@eqil.org. Allied for Equality will share these stories on this website and in our print materials. Please read below for testimonials from Illinois citizens:
"As a sister, friend, peer, and, most importantly, an ally to many in the LGBT community, I am appalled that we don't all share the same civil rights. My heart breaks every time I witness a friend or loved one who is suffering as a result of outdated, ignorant belief systems and a blatant abuse of religion to impact state and federal laws. I cannot, with a clear conscience, look at my loved ones and tell them that I deserve rights that they aren't entitled to, solely based on my physiological makeup and sexual orientation. I can not, and will not, accept that as fact as an educated, 
intellectual adult who is living and thriving in the 21st century. I have been alienated from friends and family as a result of my activism, which is just as hurtful and damaging as the bigotry itself, but it will not stop me in my fight as an ally for LGBT rights. I will only surround myself with positive, respectful and loving people, and when I bring children into this world, they will be raised knowing that we are all equal, and that no God of ours will love them less based on the way in which they show their love for another human being. It takes people who are willing to stand up for one another, within the community and as allies, to make a difference. I am happy and proud to be among the company of those who are brave enough to fight for what they believe in and I will protest, write letters, raise funds and do whatever it takes until justice is served." -Nellie Huggins, Chicago
"I joined Allied for Equality because everyone deserves equal rights. As parents of two, my husband and I want today's children to grow up understanding that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is every bit as wrong as discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, or ethnicity. By joining Allied for Equality and standing together with the LGBT community, we can ensure that all our voices are heard loud and clear against discrimination and for equal rights." -Tracy Katz Muhl (and Nate), Northbrook
"I consider myself a strong ally for the LGBT community. As I have advanced in 
my legal career, working with various state and federal employment and employee benefits laws, I have quickly learned that discrimination against the LGBT community is the remaining form of legal discrimination. As a result, I have committed myself to educating employers and the public about domestic partner benefits and employer best practices with respect to LGBT employees. I am the author of Domestic Partner Benefits: An Employer's Guide, and I speak frequently at LGBT workplace and employee benefits events on the topic of benefits for same-sex couples. I decided to get involved with Allied for Equality because it is a way to convey to a larger audience just how unfair federal and some state law are to same-sex couples and to educate the public and legislators in an effort to eliminate this discrimination. In addition to my outreach, I encourage other heterosexual allies get involved with the cause. This is truly important work. Years down the road when the country is aghast at how same-sex couples used to be treated, you will be able to say that you made a difference." -Todd A. Solomon, Highland Park
"As a leader in the Church, I believe one of the most important things I can do is to act as an advocate, or a voice, for those without voices and to speak on behalf of those who feel left out or marginalized by the Church and the government. I believe strongly that being involved in issues of equality for our GLBT sisters and brothers is part of Jesus' charge to love others and, it is a way to prove to the world that not all Christians are alike. Jesus welcomed everyone and believed in equal treatment of all people. As a Jesus-follower, I must do the same." -Rev. Suzanne Anderson-Hurdle (and Steve), Romeoville - Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
"As a citizen of this country I cannot sit back and watch while others are denied the right
s and privileges that I enjoy.
In my life I have had the privilege to live and work in some of the most diverse situations this country has to offer and have yet to find a reason why any one group of citizens should be denied equal rights." -Charles Harper, Chicago
“I'm an ally because the issue of LGBT rights has always been important to me. When I moved back to Chicago, I knew I needed to get involved in fighting for what I believe in, and Allied for Equality seemed the perfect group to do that with. At school a friend of mine had homophobic graffiti put on his door, which was right across from mine, and my entire hall rallied behind him, expressing our outrage, helping the perpetrator be caught, and making sure our friend knew we supported him. I feel it is the responsibility of all of us who believe in LGBT rights to stand up for them. I've already been able to do that in the short time I've been volunteering, from passing out petitions at Market Days and the anti-Prop 8 rally to selling raffle tickets at a drag show fundraiser.” -Becca Welch, Chicago
"When LGBT clergy and our allies are visible in the community, we become examples of how to live a life that is based on a theology of inclusion rather than exclusion. This is important, first, because our presence saves lives by giving people who are in homophobic communities and struggling with their sexuality hope for a better day. Second, if we are not visible in an unapologetic way, the religions that define who they are based on the people they exclude become the norm because alternatives to what they represent is not easily seen. People of faith, if they are true to their faith, have not other choice than to demand that our rights be recognized and ensured. People of faith, if they strive to honor their traditions, should support my right, and the right of all LGBT people, to live free of laws that are grounded in religious bias, free of violence that is based on homophobic attitudes, and free of oppression that is justified through bigotry because to do anything less would be a betrayal of just about every major religious institution.” -Rev. Deborah Lake, Chicago - Sankofa Way
“Students taught me to be an ally. I came to understand the unfair burdens they often faced, especially when a bright and talented young man with everything to live for came out to me instead of committing suicide. His faith in me radicalized me and started my journey: founding GSAs in my district, speaking to classes of pre-service teachers about the issue, leading an interest group of an international educational organization [ASCD], joining the board of GLSEN Chicago and becoming Co-Chair, joining the Executive Committee of the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance - the list continues. Why am I an ally? Because it's the right thing to do, because any human rights movement needs the support of allies to help push the agenda forward, and because my life has been enriched by the people I meet and the learning experiences I have. Why Allied for Equality? Because I want others to understand the privileges we have and our responsibility to be sure that those privileges are extended to others, and I believe this initiative is one of the best ways to help that happen.” -Ellen (and Don) Ljung, Geneva
"I am an ally in the struggle for marriage equality based both on my reading of Torah and Jewish tradition, and
on the 'fundamental American principle of equal protection. I have also been profoundly affected by knowing so many members of the LGBT community who are committed to their relationships and to building loving, stable families. The Torah teaches us that “it is not good for a human being to be alone,” that is, if at all possible, the ideal state for a person is to be in a long-term loving relationship with another person. Further, the Torah expects us to pursue justice, to extend as best we can the basic principles of fairness and equity.
American law and tradition are based on the principle of equal protection of the law. As long as there are legal entitlements that accrue to those who are married, and which are denied to those who are not married, then same-sex couples should have equal access, equal protection, and equal status. I know many same-sex relationships that are holy and loving. They are just the sort of relationships that are the bedrock of society. They should be supported and encouraged, by our religious communities and by our lawmakers. I invite you to join me in supporting marriage equal." -Rabbi Laurence Edwards, Chicago - Congregation Or Chadash
“I believe in basic human rights, which means I believe those rights should never be preceded with terms like "straight" or "gay." Our rights belong to us no matter who we are or what we believe, and they are ours regardless of who it is we love. I think we all must learn that love is not a privilege earned, but a right we are lucky enough to own once it finds us. Love transcends a government's efforts to label or limit, and the faster we stop fighting love, the faster we might embrace it in all its forms.” -Katie Rogers, Chicago
“Opposition to same-sex marriage, rooted in religious superstition, has no place in shaping government policy. If marriage is to be recognized by governments and offer benefits that may not otherwise be received, then all couples must have access to it. To minimize suffering and maximize happiness should be the aim of every action.” -stefen robinson (and Jamie, Miso), Chicago
“My life as an ally is an overrated one. For people to say that straight people who support gay marriage and gay rights are “allies,” is to presume that not all people support our GLBTQ population. I prefer to think of the GLBTQA challenge as a philosophical obstacle that we must overcome with reason, logic, and determination. In addition, where would any equal rights battle be without warmth, comfort, and compassion to support those struggling? It is important to fight against injustice any time it arises. Why? Because injustice towards one is injustice towards all of us. People get swept away with their reasons (coming from an emotional side and a rational side) and often forget that the basis behind the homophobic argument is preventing a large group of people from being free to be individual, and groups of people wanting to be free to love one another. This turns mother against son, sister against sister, neighbor against neighbor, and so forth. We all have to stay together and learn that love in any unconventional sense is still love, and that’s something that I think we all need to fight for. The GLBTQA community may be an exception to convention, but that’s why it’s exceptional.” -Sandra Manley, Port Barrington
“Gays and lesbians are declared “second class” citizens and denied the rights to marry the person they love, adopt a child, and most heinously, barred from the death beds of their loved ones. To deny citizens the rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is not anything new to our history but it doesn’t make the oppression of gays in America right.
It is true that America is making progress, but there is still much work to be done. In many states a crime that would be deemed a hate crime had it been committed against an ethnic or religious minority is still considered a normal crime if it is committed against a homosexual person. The punishment therefore is less severe. For what reason? Why is discrimination based on sexual orientation still regarded as different from discrimination based on race or religion? To deny gays, lesbians, and bisexuals their basic rights is to go against the very ideology that makes America great. So the reason why it is important to fight for gay rights is because it is the American thing to do. We, as a nation, need to shed this history of prejudice and bigotry and work towards a better future. Allowing gay couples to declare their love for one another and making their partnership legal would be the first step on that path. So the answer to the question “Why is it still important to fight for gay rights?” is because gay rights are still close to non-existent in American society and that fact is unacceptable.” –Madeline Hasbrouck, Chicago
“Why are gay rights important? Why are anyone's rights important? The answer to these questions is built on a foundation of seemingly basic individual rights that become so complicated when put into context.
Gay rights are important because your rights are important.
Gay rights are important because my rights are important.
Gay rights are important because everyone's rights are important.
Everyone deserves the right to fall in love.
Love knows no rights or wrongs.
Only hearts.
Homosexual, Heterosexual, Transgendered, and Bisexual individuals love with the same heart.
The right to love, to fulfill one's dreams, and to love happily is everyone's right.” -Ann Diamond, DeKalb
"I am proud to be an ally because I believe that everyone deserves equal rights, to live peacefully, and to love freely. People should not simply be tolerated in society, but rather, embraced for who they are, and that is exactly what A4E serves to promote. My goal is to contribute to creating a safe and inclusive world that embraces my LGBTQ friends, family, and those I have never met in order for our children to live in a world void of the hate and bigotry we are combating today. I have enjoyed volunteering at Equality Illinois events, conducting Ally 101 workshops, speaking to Gay-Straight Alliance members, and presenting on the topic of straight allies at the 2008 Association for Psychological Science Convention. It is important for allies to take steps beyond acceptance and work to support our LGBTQ peers by volunteering our time or simply speaking openly in support. Allied for Equality provides a mechanism by which straight allies can promote the ideals of acceptance and inclusion of the LGBTQ communities in hopes to one day live in a world that celebrates our diverse population." -Alison Aguilar Haehnel, Chicago
“I wish I had all that is available today when I was first grappling with my identity. Not that it would have been any easier, but I would have felt much less isolated.
I knew from an extremely early age that I was gay, but didn't have the courage to embrace it and come out to my family until my college years. 
Coming out to my family was fairly easy. The difficulty came about when I not only had to be an ally for myself, but an ally for all of them as well as they wrestled with their "stuff" about having a gay son / brother.
I met Jim 21 years ago just this past January 19th. We were officially married in Palm Springs, California last October 24th. In spite of how much I wanted it, I grew up realizing that marriage was never going to happen for me. On that day, when I heard those words ....'by the power vested in me, by the State of....I now pronounce you husband and husband' the emotional backlog opened up and I cried like a baby. I will never forget that moment for the rest of my life.
Allies are the most important people, period. They keep doing the work, fighting the good fight and finding the motivation to keep at it when those of us who are taking the direct hits of hate, inequality and discrimination feel overwhelmed and defeated.” -Steven Peck (and Jim), Chicago