Amy Ellifritz, Ally 
Senior, Secondary Education: Integrated Language Arts                         

INVOLVEMENTS AT OU:
I am involved in the Ohio University Marching 110, The OZone, Kappa Kappa Psi (service fraternity), and I was a member of Residence Life for two years.  I’m also a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) and OU’s chapter of the Ohio Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). 

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE OUT or TO BE AN ALLY?
I believe that people are naturally afraid of what they do not know.  Being an ally tells people everywhere that I am aware of the differences between myself and others around me, but that I am not afraid of them.  I also believe it is important to be in SafeZone so I can act as a reliable and open-minded mentor to anyone who needs a friend.

WHY ARE YOU “PROUD”? WHAT ARE YOU MOST “PROUD” OF? 
I am most proud to be an ally.  We all must embrace our differences and similarities and be proud of who we are and who we want to become.  I’m proud of who I am and I’m proud of everything I’ve done, and everyone deserves to feel the same way.

WHAT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF COMING OUT? 
I have always been “out” as an ally, and I always will be.  The only difficult part of being an ally is the constant fight against those who disagree with other people’s ways of life. 

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHERS WHO COME OUT? 
Though I can never truly understand what it must be like to actually come out, I would offer this advice to people who are doing so: keep fighting.  At some time we all have to fight to become who it is we want to be.  There’s nothing wrong with that.  Just know that you have amazing friends and reliable allies who will always be there for you.