Ok...

Allies are so important to people who are abused, discriminated against, or targeted by any disrespectful and demeaning behaviour.

I was waiting in line at a local coffee shop and a staff member was being targeted by a man who was trying to funny by making fun of her clothes and make up.

I know him to be a homophobic bully, proudly, and have called him on his behaviour in the past, but always privately and non-aggressively. Like water of a duck's back.

So this time i turned the heat up a notch by observing publicly that his bullying behaviours were in fact harassment, illegal, and as an ally, i was not prepared to stand by and see anyone abused when i was around.

With a hearty yet embarrassed laugh, he walked off and sat down.

A few minutes later when she went on her break, the barrista came up to me with tears in her eyes and said how wonderful it was to have an ally. The abuser had been taking advantage of someone who could not answer back without her job potentially being put at risk. She was being bullied pure and simple, and it was no laughing matter.

We all need to become allies if we want a better world. We won't change abusers' minds, probably, but we can make them stifle their dysfunctional, abusive behaviours. After all, most abusers and bullies are fundamentally cowards too.

But did you yell out Mazel Tov! at the wedding? I grew up with a lot of Jews on Long Island, it's sort of ingrained in me.

Exactly!! Love is love.

Thank you for being an ally!

Great idea.

Absolutely! Spot on!

Except paedophiles, and murderers, and rapists.

OK, we agree on this one.

Good for you. Your son is lucky to have a supporting mom like you.

Agree 100%