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.The best way for students to get involved is to attend Allies meetings and events. The meetings this semester will be held in Memorial Union. Check the TITU page for the room location. Time and dates of meetings will be announced on the e-mail listserv. Members of the community and UW-Madison professors are encouraged to get involved as well.
For news and other information about the Allies Program, you can join the Allies listserv. If you have any questions for the Allies, feel free to send an e-mail to UWAllies@gmail.com.
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.
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.
2008-2009 Officers
Tony GiuffreEmma Zaffiro
Nicki Steiner