A "secret code" phrase to mean that --- while you are not of alternative orientation yourself --- you are at least "neutral and tolerant" in your views/feelings regarding other-than-straight individuals, and so anyone within earshot knows that he can feel comfy and secure around you, no matter what type of human he identifies himself as.
Jerry Dean Michael (a.k.a., "Elizabeth Carmichael", the infamous proponent of the equally-infamous "Dale" automobile) might have been able to label himself as a "friend of Dorothy" back in the beginning, but after he swindled so many people out of their life savings in their eager bids to acquire one of his non-existent fuel-miser automobiles, he could probably only have claimed to be an "acquaintance of Dorothy", since neither the Kansas girl or anyone else would likely have wanted to be HIS "friend" anymore!
by QuacksO February 18, 2022