For Derek Forgie, the decision to establish Heterosexuals for Same Sex Equality (HSSE) came from wanting to stand up for same-sex rights as a straight man.
“My entire social circle, we’d sit around and we’d talk about these injustices and these things we’ve all been upset about,” he says, “and it’s like sitting around doesn’t cut it anymore.”
Founded in 2007, the Toronto-based organization seeks to promote messages of tolerance by tackling misunderstandings which negatively affect civil rights surrounding same-sex issues.
One of its main activities is delivering seminars in high schools, which attempt to debunk cultural myths and stereotypes about gay people in non-confrontational, accessible and light-hearted ways.
Forgie, and other heterosexuals who support equal civil rights, gender equality and LGBTTIQQ2S social movements are often referred to as allies of these communities.
For Forgie, this term requires turning support into action.
“I think it means vocally and publicly announcing your support of this community and I think it means being active about it and not just sitting by,” he says. “We want that fire in the belly to come our way, and to show it in numbers.”
In addition to school seminars, the HSSE gets involved in demonstrations, rallies, and letter-writing campaigns. Forgie invites other allies to march with the HSSE in the Pride Parade on July 4.
Tomorrow the HSSE is launching a new fundraising calendar called Sexy Smart 2011. The calendar showcases a plethora of Toronto female demographics in its pages, and will be used to support the HSSE’s high school seminars. Its launch party takes place at the Tranzac Club at 8 p.m, with the calendar later for sale on the organization’s website.
For Forgie, such initiatives are ultimately important to help educate and mobilize more allies.
“The people who are against same sex marriage, the people who are against two men holding hands on the street, they’re active and they’re out there and they’re making signs and they’re posting things here and there,” he says. “And we have to get the people on our side to show up in numbers too. I hope we become top of mind, that we become a voice on it.”
For more information on the HSSE, visit its website, Facebook and Twitter pages.
