Yet another reason I wear my Pride stuff is that I’m a generic looking cis white dude in a remote conservative state, so people assume I’m as bad as they are, and it keeps bigots from approaching me and confiding in me their most disturbing hot takes
I love to go to the range, and when someone inevitably comes in with some Trump crap (usually on a range bag or MAGA hat) I casually turn my ammo case to have the ‘Land Back’, ‘Armed Equality (with progress flag)’, ‘BLM’, and JBGC stickers facing towards them. Also motivates me to tighten up my groups.
I finally slapped a straight ally sticker on the back of my car. As a cis hetero male, I want LGBTQIA+ people in my community to know that they’re seen and that they’re safe and accepted where I’m at.
“I finally slapped a straight ally” – @thekerker 😂 💜
That’s what I initially read too and I was like “omg, what happened” 😆
Hopefully, negotiation beforehand and a safeword.
Yeah, those bastards! 😂
this is incredibly important. I started having asexual pride stuff visibly with me (bumper magnet, metal ttrpg dice) because I had never saw anyone with that before. I hope it’s able to bring reassurance to someone.
plus, in a pinch those metal d20s will hurt like a mofo if you can bean someone with it
I wear pride because it took me 19 years to realize I liked girls and there was nothing wrong with me. Because the only examples of queers I saw were terribly mocked.
I wear a pride band on my Apple Watch nearly every day, and I am cis/het. it, like the “you’re safe with me” button on the back of my wheelchair, are signifiers that I’m a safe person if someone needs it. Also, the watchband is f’ing gorgeous and hopefully helps normalize pride wear in my small, not progressive area. It pisses of my bigoted FIL also.
I know that some people might get mad a a cis/het man wearing pride stuff, and I get it, but hopefully I’m doing a net positive action. It, as well as sometimes painting my fingernails, and having a lavender phone case, help me fight back against my internal misogyny. My internal reaction of “that’s a girly thing and I’m a man, so I can’t do it” has already reduced a significant amount.
Im also not entirely sure my sexuality is as set in stone as I used to think. But I’m old and happily married, so it’s not like I’m going to explore that part of me, but if I was young and single with this newer view on life, I could definitely see my sexuality being more fluid than it was when I was searching for a life partner.
Hopefully that all makes sense and isn’t offensive. I’ve got 30+ years of bigotry fighting against 7ish years of being a decent human being. Sometimes I don’t get the idea across without sounding bad.
As a queer person–I can’t speak for every queer person, obviously–but personally, I’m all for cis het people repping the rainbow, especially when they’re doing it to signify they’re a safe space. Thanks for being cool ✌️
I know whenever we do a recruitment event for roller derby I wear some kind of rainbow item, just to make people feel welcome. Usually it’s socks or my rainbow checked Vans.
I think you explained this pretty well, and you hit on a significant point about internalised misogyny.
I’m a bi woman who, as a general rule of thumb, has the dating preference of “anyone but cis-het men” because I’ve found that ace, bi or trans men have often been forced to work though a lot more of that internalised misogyny than most men (as well as having more community support to do so)*.
It sounds like a big, ideological stance, but it’s just a way of reducing the likelihood of dating someone who would refuse to drink a “girly” cocktail, even if they think it’s delicious. It’s only a rule of thumb though because as you highlight, it’s possible for anyone to do the work to unearth and work through their internalised biases. I wish there were more straight dudes who wouldn’t be scared of people thinking they’re gay. Gay people get asked out by people of the opposite gender all the time, it shouldn’t be a big deal. The societal pressure is real though.
I’m glad you shared your experience, it was nice to read. It’s good to see examples of positive masculinity, because there’s a lot of examples of toxic masculinity in the discourse and that can lead to the incorrect impression that masculinity or men in general are bad. In my experience, men who are aware of these issues are generally happier and healthier than their peers.
* This isn’t to say that LGBTQ men are immune to toxic masculinity, no group of people is a monolith ofc
I’m glad you liked my approach. When I saw that long of a response I was afraid I had stepped in it big time!
I feel ashamed that I didn’t wear my pride watch band today, but we were going to a town where it might not have been safe, so I didn’t wear it. That helps me understand even more the fear that lgbt+ people go through, being afraid of being attacked for who they are.
I recently have been coming out in professional contexts in my workplace and have never been the person who wears a lot of pride merch. I’ve worn ally symbols often, but not as a central point.
I recently attended my first Pride event and I got a free wristband that I’ve been wearing every day since. I was thinking I would put it away after June, but this made me tear up. I think this should be something I sincerely incorporate into my self presentation so that others who need the safety know they can count on me for it.
I wear pride so my friends understand that I will be there for them.
This may not be the right place for this discussion ( I apologize if it is!) , but as a cis hetero male , is it supporting the LGBTQIA+ and being an ally wearing LGBTQ branded clothes ? Or am I being the problem ? I want to do what I can to support and be an ally 😅. Thanks!
I’m a cis gay male, and I wear three pro-trans shirts on rotation. It’s items that say things like “trans rights are human rights,” so it’s suitable for an ally.
If you just straight up wear the colors, I doubt anyone would be offended but might think you are LGBT2QIA
I don’t think anyone would take offense to that. However, some guys may think it’s an indicator that you’re gay. Which can lead to them talking more candidly to you about LGBT issues, or even hitting on you. It starts to be an issue when you present as gay and don’t correct people. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queerbaiting
Oh dude you are fine, no sweat at all. Regardless of orientation, you can wear whatever you want. That’s the beauty of equality, baby!
I’m on the fence to whether stay visibly trans or go stealth once I transition. But if I go visible, it’s because of this.
I’m pretty out as queer, but my appearance don’t show it at all because I have very strong opinions on what I like to wear and pride merch usually doesn’t fit it. This post is making me consider changing my mind on this—albeit in the form of cute lapel pins, not an entire wardrobe shift lol. Just because acquaintances+ know I’m safe doesn’t mean a random stranger knows that. And even one random passerby who’s clearly declaring themselves safe can make this stranger feel better and more accepted than if that passerby was yet another “safe or not? Can’t tell” person.
Don’t feel guilty if you choose to go stealth; the first and greatest duty you owe to the LGBTQ+ community is to look after yourself, as a member of that community. Queer existence is so politicised that simply existing is a powerful act of rebellion, but that fight can wear on a person. You don’t need to be open trans to be an asset to the community, because people who feel able to be visible doing so is one of the ways the community has your back. We share the load.
That’s pretty great to hear :') However I still feel inclined to go open. Besides, I don’t think I have much of a chance of going stealth due to living with people that already know me well. Maybe if I there is a middle ground I’ll take it 🤷🏽♀️
I’ve been wearing a rainbow pin and watch band for over a year, with the same idea in mind: hoping it made others feel safe and seen. I will support them to the end and beyond.
I have a fear that my appearance overwrites any of that intention of goodwill, though. When I was struggling, members of the LGBTQ+ community were my only solace and are the only reason I’m around today. But those people never saw me physically, just spoke online. It’s sad to know my support of them and my undying thanks may never be seen past the person I am on the outside.
I don’t care how you look, if I see a pride flag on you I instantly feel more comfortable in your presence. I cannot stress enough how important such a small gesture is in this violent world
In August, for the first time in my adult life, I’ll be living in a solid blue city in a reasonably blue state. I’m super excited that I can have a pride bumper sticker finally. I’ve always wanted one, but I’ve never lived anywhere it was even reasonably safe to have one. I’m not a coward; I just can’t afford to replace slashed tires or broken-off side mirrors.
@xray I wear pride gear, because my queerness often isn’t visible to people otherwise, and I want the other closeted and scared queer folk out there to know that they’re not alone. So I tell the world who I am loudly and proudly
Anyone that down votes this swallows solid Russian turds.
Turds that require a poop knife
Not for 3 days…
I have an “and so what if I am” rainbow badge which I love because it signals safety to fellow queers, with the added bonus of making most people who would take issue with us, too uncomfortable to say anything lol
This is so important. Knowing someone has your back is critical to young people feeling safe while practicing standing up for themselves!