6 ways to be an LGBTQ+ ally

6 ways to be an LGBTQ+ ally

By: © liveandworkwell.com. All rights reserved. May 20 2021

Many in the LGBTQ+ community face challenges and prejudices every day. They may find it hard to feel understood, appreciated and supported. All of which can take a serious toll on mental and emotional health. Fortunately, there are ways we can reach out and help. This includes being an Ally. An LGBTQ+ Ally is someone who supports and advocates for LGBTQ+ people. Your actions will help LGBTQ+ friends, family and co-workers feel understood and supported. And by working to end prejudice and discrimination, you’ll be helping create a safer and more respectful world, for everyone.

6 ways to be an Ally

1. Show your support Be open with your support. If someone says or does something offensive, speak up and address it. Encourage respect and dignity for all people.

2. Create a safe space to talk Invite open conversations. Listen and show respect. If you are a parent, talk with and listen to your children about sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Talk about steps they can take to avoid unsafe situations, including topics about sex and sexually transmitted diseases.

3. Keep Learning Learn and use the language. (See LGBTQ+ Terminology Guide Take advantage of resources online and in your community. Stay informed about the LGBTQ+ community, the challenges it faces, and ways you can promote awareness and support.

4. Know and follow a person's preference Don't assume. You can't tell someone's sexual orientation or gender identity by looking at them. If you don't know a person's pronoun, ask. Also, respect and keep their confidences. It isn't your role to ask about – or tell others about – another person's sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

5. Be aware of your own biases. We all have biases, that's because our brains create categories to make sense of the world. Here are some examples of common thinking that can lead to bias:

   • You like people most like you
   • You prefer information that supports your opinions and beliefs
   • You assume things based on appearances and first impressions
   • You gravitate toward things and ideas you already know you like and are interested in

   The good news is, we are not trapped by our biases. With self-awareness and effort, we can change the way we think and act.

6. Accept mistakes and learn from them Everyone makes mistakes. Even with the best intentions, we can slip-up or hurt a person’s feelings. So, for example, if you call someone by the wrong pronoun, simply take responsibility and apologize. The important thing is to learn from it, and to do better next time.

Sources

• The Trevor Project: A Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Youth. Opens in a new window Accessed 4/1/21
• GLAAD: 10 Ways to Be an Ally and a Friend Opens in a new window Accessed 4/1/21
• Youth Engaged 4 Change: Being an Ally to LGBT People. Opens in a new window Accessed 4/1/21
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Stigma and Discrimination. Opens in a new window Accessed 4/1/21
• American Psychological Association: Answers to Your Questions about Transgender people, gender identify and gender expression. Accessed 3/20/21
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: LGBT Health. Opens in a new window Accessed 3/20/21
• PFLAG: Straight for Equality: Guide to being a straight ally. Accessed 3/20/21