An ally is someone who works as an advocate for an oppressed population to which he or she may or may not belong. For example, a straight ally of the LGBT community or a lesbian woman supporting gay males.
An ally is a person who…
- Believes the campus is enriched by the presence of LGBT people
- Is aware of the presence of LGBT students and colleagues
- Discusses issues in a non-judgmental manner
- Understands the needs of LGBT people
- Works to end heterosexism, heteroprivilege, homophobia and biphobia
An ally is not…
- Perfect
- An expert
- A counselor
- A spokesperson
- Necessarily a member of the LGBT community
An ally’s role includes…
- Creating an atmosphere of acceptance in their environment
- Not assuming all people are heterosexual
- Using inclusive language
- Assisting LGBT students in accessing support and informational resources
- Confronting prejudiced remarks, jokes and behaviors
An ally doesn’t assume…
- A person’s sexual orientation or gender identity
- That a person’s sexuality is the most important aspect of their character
- That being LGBT is insignificant
- That a person of the LGBT community necessarily needs your help
- That a same-sex relationship is not as legitimate as an opposite-sex relationship
- That a person’s sexuality is the cause of any problem in a person’s life
An ally creates a safer environment by…
- Self-education
- Examining one’s own comfort levels and biases
- Anticipating reactions from those around you
- Researching and utilizing resources to stay informed
- Responding to inappropriate languages, behaviors and insensitive jokes
- Being inclusive and accepting by using gender-neutral terms and mention sexual orientation when appropriate
- Being a visible ally
- Taking initiative!