Welcome to the Allies Program website!
About the Allies Program
The Allies Program is a UW-Madison student organization that seeks to promote greater visibility and a more welcoming environment for the LGBT community. An ally is anyone who shares the common goals of advancing social change and facilitating positive interactions among those of all sexual orientations and gender identities.If you have questions on any of the current projects or events, contact a member of the Allies Program. Volunteers and contributers of ideas are welcomed.
News
There will be an Opening Doors Ally Education program on Tuesday, April 22nd at 8 pm. The Location will be in a campus classroom - see TITU for the specific place.
The Allies will be joining QSA in the Dying for Justice event on Thursday, April 24th. Hundreds of students from the campus and community will spend one hour lying on the ground serving as representatives of the thousands who face death annually because of their LGBTQ identity. People of ALL identities are welcome to participate. If you are interested in participating in the QSA Die-In please contact Justin Hager at QueerStudentAlliance@gmail.com or 608-658-5336, for information on mandatory participant trainings. (QSA)
The National Day of Silence is on Friday, April 25th! This day is a great chance to show your support for the LGBT community by pledging to remain silent for the entire day. Wear your Ally t-shirts, buttons and Day of Silence arm bands for visible support. If you cannot make the pledge of silence, come to Library Mall at 2 pm to break Homophobia/Silence piņatas. There will be a Silent Parade to the Capitol steps at 4:30 pm. The Breaking the Silence Rally will take place at 5 pm. Come hear great speakers and Tangled Up In Blue perform at the end of the rally!
The next Allies Program Meeting is on Monday, April 28th at 7 pm. Location is in Memorial Union, TITU. Attend with a friend! We will have elections for next year at this meeting.
Ellen Degeneres YouTube video : At the meeting on 2/18, we made a video asking Ellen Degeneres to speak at our Day of Silence. Check it out!
Allies Program History
The following information was taken from the old UW-Madison Allies Program website.
The Allies Program began in October 2001 during Coming Out Week. Sara Hinkel was one of the latest leaders. The original organization's goals to provide safety, support, general visibility, education, and resources for the LGBT community exist as well in today's Allies Program. Anyone interested in becoming a full member of the organization signed the "Allies Commitment Form." In spring 2002, a "steering committee" was created to set priorities, accomplish goals, and plan activities. Unfortunately, student interest for the organization was low, forcing the leaders to bring it to an end.
In the spring 2004 semester, Becky, Mary, and Elise established the current Allies Program. The group had great success with the Day of Silence in spring of 2006. A large amount of visible support for the LGBT community was seen as Madison students and community members sported their "gay? fine by me" t-shirts and marched to the Capitol.
Later, in the fall semester of 2006, members of the Allies Program volunteered many hours with Fair Wisconsin, an organization that educated Wisconsin citizens on the harms of the Constitutional Ban on Civil Unions and Marriage.
In spring of 2007, Governor Jim Doyle officially declared April 18th the Day of Silence thanks to the hard work of Wisconsin high school students and Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools.
2007-2008 Officers
Co-presidents
Amanda HunterTony Giuffre
Treasurer
Sarah KutinDay of Silence Coordinator
Emma ZaffiroNicki Steiner