LGBTQ Support Mounts as Allies Emerge Artist Irene Nguyen alongside her ‘Solidarity Sign’ artistry that is on display at Tip Top Market in Charlotte, N.C. Inset is the store owner Jason Michel who commissioned the piece. Dating back to the Stonewall riots, allyship has been a vital component in the continued fight against the oppression, discrimination, social injustice and inequality plagued by the LGBTQ community. Simply put, an ally, also referred to as a straight ally to distinguish from other types of allyship, is someone who in some way supports LGBTQ people. Perhaps one of the most influential and iconic acts of allyship is that of PFLAG (the United States’ first and largest organization uniting parents, family and allies with people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) founder Jeanne Manford. In response to a brutal attack on her gay-activist son Morty that took place in New York City in 1972, Manford lodged several grievances and relentlessly fought for the justice of her child. She continued defending the rights of her son and his community throughout her life, efforts that evolved into movements and initiatives made by a blossoming coalition of allies standing up and fighting for and alongside the LGBTQ community.