35 / 42
35
Source: GLAAD Accelerating Acceptance report,
conducted by Harris Poll, March 2017
The Importance of Allies
When I see charts like this it makes me think of my father’s
cousin Mike. Mike was born and raised in a small town in North
Carolina. He taught, volunteered, paid taxes, and lived with his
partner Charlie for 50 years. Every time he saw his mother she
would ask, “Have you met any nice girls? And how is that Charlie
guy?” It wasn’t that he didn’t exist. It was that he wasn’t fully
seen.
Flash forward to my life. We had begun to realize that
LGBTQ was just a part of the fabric of life. We had developed the
concept of Ally. My mother was able to tell me in advance that
she would be supportive. That allowed me the safe space to
come out. When the time came, she helped me plan my wedding
to Claudia.
This chart is a testament to the importance of active Allies.
If you aren’t already, I encourage you to become informed, ask,
speak out, engage and be visible. It matters!
Julia Marshel, Mosaic Chair