reminder that “allies welcome” was once secret code for “those not out yet can still participate without putting themselves at risk”, and for those who aren’t out yet to comfortably exist in these spaces you have to let allies exist in those spaces too.
this is also important for queer people who don’t know anyone else there. let them bring their friend, even if the friend is cishet. many would rather not go at all, rather than go somewhere alone.
It is always better to let respectful cishets into our spaces than to try and police who is queer enough to be allowed.