How to be an Ally

The LGBTQ community has been fighting for their rights and acceptance for decades. But unfortunately, while there has been progress, there is still a long way to go.

One of the ways to support the community is by being an ally. An ally supports and advocates for the LGBTQ community, even if they are not a part of it. In this short read, we will explore the importance of respecting pronouns, statistics on why supporters are critical for the community’s success, and find helpful tips that allies can incorporate into daily life.

Being an ally to the LGBTQ community is crucial in creating a more inclusive and accepting society. Supporters can help amplify the community's voices and advocate for their rights. However, being an ally is not just about attending Pride events or wearing a rainbow pin. It requires a deeper understanding of the issues faced by the community and a commitment to taking action. One of the most important ways to be a better ally is by asking for and respecting pronouns. This simple act can go a long way in making someone feel seen and accepted.

Respecting Preferred Names and Pronouns

Pronouns are essential to a person's identity; using the wrong ones can be hurtful and invalidating. Because using pronouns consistently is critical, if you are unsure of someone's pronouns, it is okay to ask politely. It is also crucial to avoid making assumptions based on someone's appearance or gender expression. For example, not all people who present as feminine use she/her pronouns, and not all people who appear as masculine use he/him pronouns. Using a person's correct pronouns is a simple act of respect that can make a significant difference in someone's life. Furthermore, there are a variety of pronouns beyond he/him/his and she/her/hers, such as they/them/theirs; therefore, when you're unsure, it’s best to ask than to assume.

Statistics on Why Allies are Crucial for the Community:

Allies play a crucial role in supporting the LGBTQ community. According to a study by GLAAD, 20% of LGBTQ people have experienced discrimination from their family members. This is where allies can step in and provide support and acceptance. Supporters can also help to combat discrimination in the workplace. A study by the Human Rights Campaign found that 46% of LGBTQ workers are not out at work, and 20% have experienced discrimination from their coworkers. Allies can help to create a more inclusive workplace by advocating for policies that protect LGBTQ+ workers and speaking out against discrimination.

Here are some helpful tips on how to be a better ally to the LGBTQ community:

Educate yourself: Take the time to learn about the issues faced by the LGBTQ community. Read books, watch documentaries, listen to podcasts, join a local Facebook group, follow queer and trans content creators and their stories, and volunteer at local community centers that support the cause. Understand that some community members may be more willing to discuss their journeys and identity than others. While it would be nice to ask a question directly to a community member, it may be better to utilize search engines such as Google, the National Institute of Mental Health, and GLAAD at glaad.org. Often common questions and deeper understandings of issues and statistics can be found through these resources.

Speak up: If you hear someone making a homophobic or transphobic comment, speak up. Let them know that their words are hurtful and unacceptable. Although it can be challenging to begin this habit, you have the power to change people's thoughts and bring awareness to their insensitivities simply by speaking up.

Use your privilege: If you are straight and cisgender, you have privilege in our society. Taking time to recognize privileges and how they have benefitted your life can allow you to deeply appreciate what you have while honoring what some may currently lack. In addition, respecting differences in individuals that may not have grown up with these privileges and understanding the long-term implications of having or lacking them can create individualized motivation to help. Finally, use that privilege to advocate for the LGBTQ community and amplify their voices by vocalizing their concerns when the opportunities present themselves. This can take the form of conversations in social settings, at work, and with colleagues and friends.

Represent Allyship with Your Business: One of the main difficulties faced by the LGBTQ+ community is a perceived sense of safety and acceptance in public settings. This dictates where these individuals spend their time and money. If you own a business, placing an all-inclusive flag in prominent spots for all customers to see allows potential customers to know they are safe and welcome to shop.

Although there are legitimate safety concerns when taking this stand, issues are less likely to occur with the use of store cameras, understanding how the local and state laws protect you, and having knowledge of your insurance policy, if damages to your property occur. It is worth noting that while hate can come in the form of an unhappy customer or defacing property, it appears less when more businesses take the stand and when inclusive flags remain in place for years. Furthermore, this action pushes out problematic individuals from shopping at your store while welcoming diverse individuals who typically shop in pairs and groups for safety.

Support LGBTQ-owned businesses: Show your support for the community by shopping at LGBTQ-owned businesses. You can find these businesses by using Google, watching local inclusive events where vendors can sell their products and services, and using word-of-mouth to obtain knowledge about and refer others to these businesses. Remember that many of these business owners may operate online and utilize pop-up booths when available, so be sure to support your locals when you can.

Attend Pride events: Pride events are a great way to show your support for the community and learn more about the issues they face. You will find many individuals that take these days to be completely authentic in public, some for the first time, which can be a very liberating experience. Furthermore, you'll be able to find informative booths that focus on a broad spectrum of community support. These booths can help the citizens better understand current local issues and resources for a diverse community and offer volunteering opportunities that facilitate community growth.

Being an ally to the LGBTQ community is crucial in creating a more inclusive and accepting society.

Respecting pronouns, educating yourself, and speaking up against discrimination are just a few ways to be a better ally. In addition, supporters can help amplify the community’s voices and advocate for their rights. By working together, we can create a world where everyone is accepted and valued for who they are.

REFERENCES:

CNN. (2022, June 17). How to be a better ally to the LGBTQ community. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/17/us/iyw-pride-how-to-be-a-better-ally-lgbtq-wellness/index.html

University College London. (2020, December 7). 7 ways you can be a better LGBTQ+ ally. UCL. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/students/news/2020/dec/7-ways-you-can-be-better-lgbtq-ally

GLAAD. (n.d.). 10 Ways to Be an Ally & a Friend. GLAAD. https://www.glaad.org/resources/ally/2

Human Rights Campaign. (n.d.). Being an LGBTQ Ally. HRC. https://www.hrc.org/resources/being-an-lgbtq-ally

Queer In The World. (n.d.). Choose Inclusivity: How To Be A LGBT Ally For A Better World. Queer In The World. https://queerintheworld.com/best-lgbt-ally/