For Derek Forgie, participation in Pride Toronto's annual celebrations provides the opportunity to rally more allies in support of same-sex rights.

The founder of Toronto-based Heterosexuals for Same Sex Equality (HSSE) says he established the organization to stand up for such 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 HSSE seeks to promote messages of tolerance by tackling misunderstandings that negatively affect civil rights surrounding same-sex issues.

One of their 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.
Being an ally to LGBTTIQQ2S communities, he says, requires not just good intentions, but action as well.

"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, HSSE gets involved in demonstrations, rallies, and letter-writing campaigns. It also recently launched a fundraising calendar campaign, which will help support the HSSE's school initiatives.

Finally, Forgie invites other allies to march with HSSE in Toronto's Pride Parade on July 4.

By marching together, he hopes to help raise more voices in support of equal rights.

"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. I hope we become top of mind, that we become a voice on it."

For more information on HSSE, visit their website, Facebook, and Twitter pages.

-Words by Chris Mejaski, Media Committee Journalist