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This National Coming Out Day, come out as an ally!<\/strong><\/p>\n National Coming Out Day is October 11. It\u2019s a day for the men and women of the LGBT community to stand strong and be counted. It\u2019s by being visible \u2013 not hiding in a closet \u2013 that we can make change happen.<\/p>\n But we can\u2019t do it without allies! We can\u2019t defeat homophobia and transphobia without our straight brothers and sisters standing with us.<\/p>\n There is strength in numbers. By standing together in solidarity, we break down the barriers placed in the way of equality; we form one strong human race.<\/p>\n Allies have an important voice; it\u2019s by adding their voice to ours that we break down prejudice, injustice\u00a0and closed-mindedness.\u00a0It\u2019s with their help that we succeed in protecting human dignity.<\/p>\n Injustices aren\u2019t remedied by standing in the shadows, watching and doing nothing. Being a silent supporter will assist a select few people, but it won\u2019t change things on a global scale.\u00a0Allies need to be strong, visible and active to facilitate change.<\/p>\n For those out there who are already doing this: thank you very much.<\/p>\n Through education and activism, anyone is able to stand up and be heard as an ally. Do you have the courage to become an ally for change?<\/p>\n Chris Little-Gagn\u00e9
\nAssistant Regional Vice-President, Manitoba region<\/p>\n
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