Gretchen Cataline, Ally
Junior - Communication Studies: Public Advocacy          

LIST YOUR INVOLVEMENTS AT OU:
LGBT Commissioner of Student Senate, Unify - Vice President, SafeZone Workshop Facilitator,   Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, and Voices for Institutional Progress (VIP).

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE AN ALLY?
It is important to be an Ally because the LGBT community needs “outside” support.  Whereas a person who does not like gay people may not listen to what a gay person has to say, that person may listen to what an Ally has to say.  That is why it is so important to have Allies advocating for the rights of our LGBT community.  Allies can set an example for other straight people to (hopefully) follow and be a voice when the LGBT community is being silenced.

WHY ARE YOU “PROUD”?  WHAT ARE YOU MOST “PROUD” OF?
I am proud because I am the person I want to be.  I like who I want to like, I befriend who I want to befriend, and I don’t care what anyone has to say about it.  I am proud to know so many wonderful LGBT people on OU’s campus, and I am proud that many of them have accepted me into the community with open arms and look at me as a friend and confidant.

WHAT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF COMING OUT AS AN ALLY? 
Explaining to straight people why doing so was so important to me.  A few people told me that it was cool that I liked gay people, but they just didn’t understand why I was so open about it.  It’s hard to explain to people (especially if they’re homophobic) why I value what I value.  Sometimes it’s hard to convey what’s in my heart and what’s important to me, especially when they’re just asking questions to be, ultimately, critical.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHERS WHO COME OUT AS AN ALLY? 
DO IT!!  The LGBT community needs the love and support of its straight friends.  LGBT people will not win the fight for equality alone, and they need as many people on their side as possible.  Being an Ally has opened my eyes to so many issues that LGBT people face.  My college experience as an Ally has been such an enjoyable learning experience, and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it.

THOUGHTS FOR NON-LGBT PEOPLE ABOUT LGBT PEOPLE AND CONCERNS: 
Talk to someone who is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.  Get to know that person and what they stand for and why they feel the way they do about the world.  And, MOST IMPORTANTLY, keep in mind that, just as all straight people aren’t the same, all LGBT people are not the same either.  So don’t judge an entire community based upon your interaction with one or even a few LGBT people.