LGBTQIA is the acronym that is collectively used when referring to those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans. Even though LGBT is the shorter and easier version to be used, the letters QIA highlight the diversity and complexity of this world.
Let’s briefly summarize the meaning of these three letters:
The Q has two meanings: Queer – the umbrella term used to refer to those sexual orientations and gender identities missing in those rigidly conceived taxonomies – and Questioning – those people who are still wondering about their sexual orientation.
The I, which has been added very recently, stands for Intersex – for those people who have both male and female anatomical features, although developed differently.
Lastly, the letter A, the one we are going to focus on today. This letter it’s for the Asexual people – those who don’t experience sexual attraction to any other person (to find out more, you can read our interview with an asexual girl) – as for the Straight Allies – the heterosexual people in solidarity with the gay cause.
Despite the resistance from those who demand for the acronym to be limited to the sphere of the “gay community” (LGBQ), and therefore linked to the most discriminating sexual orientations, the addition of the letter A – as these people are necessarily LGB, but could also be heterosexual – denotes a sense of inclusiveness and completeness.
But above all, and that is what I really want to point out, I can’t stand the idea of eliminating a class of people based on their sexual orientation without considering their contribution to the cause. It even threatens the destruction of the possibility that one person, whatever the sexual orientation, may want to contribute to the success of the cause: they are excluded.
We can tell them: “Yes sure you can participate. But you will never be part of our acronym”.
Well, then, if there are people who are so dumb and want to exclude them, then exclude me as well. Exclude anyone who thinks like me.
Because if the acronym LGBTQIA seems too long – and, for heaven’s sake, it is – nobody prevents anyone from shortening it to make it more comfortable. No one will make it a big problem.
This is not the point.
The point is wanting to spend an extra minute to explain what “A” stands for.
Explaining that the gay community needs to thank the Allied heterosexuals.
That the heterosexuals are part of the gay community just as much as the homosexuals themselves.
These Straight Allies are the mothers and fathers of the Agedo who are committed to the success of the civil rights of their children and for the assertion of their right to identity.
These Straight Allies are the friends who suffer seeing the denial of basic rights. They are the people who care about the gay community and are waiting to have their say and fight against homophobia as soon as they get the chance.
They are the ones that if they realize that someone has insulted their gay friends, they need to be stopped before a fight breaks out.
They are the ones who are campaigning and manage to change the minds of the more stubborn ones.
They are the ones who welcome you into their home when no one wants you.
They are the ones that do not make you feel wrong when you feel wrong.
They are the friends who come to the Gay Pride with you dressed as “whores” just for the joy of seeing you happy and give you support.
They are the ones who teach their children that it is wrong to hate, that in life sexual orientation should not be a reason for exclusion, and that he/she will be loved indiscriminately.
They are the ones who, like the singer Adele, declare: “I can’t wait to know who his [her son] best friends are going to be, who his girlfriend or his boyfriend is going to be, because whatever he wants to do or be, I will love him and I will always be there for him to support it.”
How can you not tell her “well done, it’s true”? How do you exclude her, whose interviews reach millions of recipients, from the list of those who do good in the gay community?
How can you not consider the important words of the singer Pink who, on GaydarRadio, declared: “I think that the best day will be when we no longer talk about being gay or straight – it’s not a ‘gay wedding’ it’s just a ‘wedding’, it’s not a ‘gay marriage’ it’s just ‘a marriage’.”?
How can you not get excited in front of Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, who decided to get married only when the Supreme Court of the United States made unconstitutional the law that only approves heterosexual marriage?
How can one not consider part of the gay movement Obama, Kurt Cobain (we miss you), Susan Sarandon, Anne Hathaway, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Charlize Theron, James Franco, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Coretta Scott King or Hillary Clinton?
How can one not consider those companies that, for the Corporate Equality Index, stand out because of the written company policies against discrimination for sexual orientation and gender identity, for the insurance that cover the partners of the employees, for the policies of diversity management, for actions towards gay marketing?
How can one not consider the fundamental work of the ally Laura Pausini who, publicly and when she has the opportunity, supports the civil rights and the fight against homophobia?
They are the community. And, indeed, they are the heart, lungs and blood just as much as those people who are directly concerned.
Because, again, it’s not a matter of sexual orientation.
How many gay people – and I’m referring to those who can do so – have never fought for their rights? Pff, and who’s counting them?
And they would be the gay community just because they are gay?
The work of the Straight Allies is needed, then, to legitimize even more the cause, because a hundred thousand voices are better heard than one. It helps to ensure that those “silent” gay people can come out and fight, too.
Their work is significant because, usually, in a war one should be on the side of the strongest. But they do not. They are the first. They are fathers and mothers of children who, in turn, will be the bearers of a message of justice and love.
And if this is not a real fight, then what is?
