Allies as Support (Day 10 of Living Beyond a Label!)
While we may be good friends with someone who is LGBTQ+, an ally is something more. An ally is someone who stands up for, encourages and supports the people around them.
So to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community means, supporting equal rights for everyone, calling out discrimination when you see it, fighting for equality, essentially trying to make the world a better place for anyone who identifies as lgbtq+.
To be a good ally to the LGBTQ+ community you can:
Learn about issues facing the community
Understand the key differences between gender, sex, and sexuality
Be a visible supporter at rallies and events
Openly speak out against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia when you see them. – Safety first of course.
Support your LGBTQ+ friends
Support fellow allies
To be an even better ally, remember to encourage those with questions about the lgbtq+ community to seek out an answer from the community itself and direct them to resources rather than speaking for the community. Also remember allyship goes beyond LGBTQ+ identities and recognizes intersectionality and supports everyone regardless of race, gender identity, sexuality, disability, and religious beliefs.
But even an ally can’t stand alone! Organizations such as Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) can be a great resource when allies need a bit of support too!
[Image consists of the LGBTQ+ Ally flag]
So do you consider yourself an ally?
What does being an ally mean to you?
What are ways you like to show your allyship?
@EmotionsListener I'd like to think I am💖 to me it's about supporting everyone no matter who they are, discrimination should be a thing of the past 💖
I do consider myself to be an ally. I have met some wonderful friends who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. Sometimes we don't even know they are until later. It's something to keep in mind, being unsupportive of the community may be really hurtful and scary to a friend who isn't ready to say anything or is still figuring things out for themself.
One way I think allies can be allies is to be a safe space around topics about sexuality and gender. I think as a society we can be quick to pounce on feelings of discomfort as homophobia/transphobia. Shaming someone for their feeling isn't going to change their feeling and doesn't lead to productive conversations. There has been a lot of taboos around bodies, sexuality, gender, etc. Discomfort doesn't have to equate intolerance and if allies in particular make some space for that I think it can ultimately lead to better acceptance.
I'm pondering your comment about not speaking for the community, and I do understand the point. I'm trying to think when it's best to direct someone to resources though. If someone really seems interested in learning deeply about the topic, I definitely see that. There's lots of times where someone is just interested in a quick answer though. For example, my husband recently asked me what non-binary meant. It wasn't a deep conversation just a quick oh what's that term and my slightly clunky answer satisfied that. If he wanted to know more he would have just googled it. I think there are a lot of questions like that, someone is just looking for a quick explanation. Do you have tips for when to recommend a resource?
@AffyAvo
I think it's reasonable to answer that sort of question, although for just basic definitions and so on one of my favourite resources is from GLAAD: https://glaad.org/reference/terms I like that not only does it define the different terms it has tips for when they might be appropriate or even information on why a certain term is less appropriate.
@EmotionsListener Thanks! I took a look at the link I'll keep it in mind if it seems useful to share!
@EmotionsListener
before think nahoa part community to always am ally because grow up with gay brother he lot older then me 10 years almost and always teach me things like accept people who they are and be gay just normal as be straight
Like wear pride shirts to because even just see other people be ally or be lgbtq can help feel not alone 🌈💛💙🩷💜💚🩵
