i don’t know if straight people are fully aware of this, but literally the only, the only, function of including “allies” is to provide a cover for those LGBTQ+ people who are not out. that is it. that the purpose of “allies.” if you see “allies included!” or anything like that, the message is inclusion of those who, for whatever reason, cannot be out. it is not for straight people.
I legitimately did not know this.
yuup i used to attend lgbt events as an “ally” when i was involved in an abusive relationship w a homophobe
I actually don’t agree with OP. There are other reasons allies have been included, for better and for worse. One example is bi people in relationships with straight people who might bring them to an event or space. Another is the children of LGBT parents. And another is when LGBT people want to bring other family or friends. In some spaces, obviously, it is better if cishet people do not attend, but in other spaces, there are reasons why allies have been included.
Yeah, one important function of the inclusion of allies is allowing people who aren’t out or otherwise haven’t figured out their identity, but to pretend as if all organizations and spaces include allies only for this reason is disingenuous. Especially since there are actually organizations that cater too much to straight allies, and this is absolutely not the only reason they include them.