Programs & Initiatives
What Is An Ally?
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, you could serve as a straight ally of the LGBT community, or as a lesbian woman supporting young, gay men. A straight ally can merely be someone who is supportive and accepts the LGBT person, or a straight ally can be someone who personally advocates for equal rights and fair treatment.
Allies are some of the most effective and powerful voices of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender movement. Not only do allies support people in their own coming-out process, they also help others understand the importance of equality, fairness, acceptance and mutual respect.
Source: Allies Program at University of Wisconsin-Madison (http://uwallies.rso.wisc.edu/what.html) and (www.glaad.org/)
HOW TO BE AN ALLY
- Learn about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender history and current issues by reading books, journals and newspapers
- Watch a movie with a LGBT theme or characters
- Attend a meeting of LGBT allies/organization (like PFLAG)
- Have conversations with openly LGBT people
- Engage your family and friends, in discussing issues concerning LGBT people
- Use inclusive language that allows for diversity (i.e. “parent” rather than “mother or father”, “spouse or partner” rather than “wife or husband”)
- Challenge all name-calling and harassment
- Put up diversity and LGBT-friendly posters and signs in your classroom, office, lunchroom, etc.
- Be clear about your willingness and openness to support LGBT identified coworkers, parents, friends, children, students, etc.
- Invite LGBT identified or allies to speak at your work or at your school
- Work to establish policies protecting all students and workers from harassment/bullying
- Call for the inclusion of LGBT people in diversity presentations
- Call for faculty/staff training in LGBT youth/family issues (including crisis intervention and violence prevention)
- Call for and develop a diversity awareness day
- Work to form a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) and/or support group for LGBT students
Source: Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, GLSEN (www.glsen.org)