Social paralysis is strong and stands firmly in the way of change on the ground level. As allies, we have to prepare ourselves to step into the fire when necessary, even - and especially - when said fire is merely a still-lit cigarette tossed carelessly onto the street.

In 2002 Antonoff and his friend Scott Irby-Ranniar formed a new band Steel Train and secured a recording deal with Drive-Thru Records. During his sophomore year of high school he and several friends from elementary school formed a punk rock band Outline; the band was successful enough to tour in Florida and Texas. Antonoff has been a guest blogger for The Huffington Post where he has written in favor of gay rights and of the importance of straight allies.

Jack Michael Antonoff (born March 31 1984) is the guitarist of the American band Fun.