What Does It Mean to Be an LGBTQIA+ Ally?
The month of June is known as Pride month. This is the month when rainbow flags are hung proudly outside of homes and local businesses. Companies change their standard brand guideline colors to a rainbow logo. Stores even come up with pride clothing or decorate their stores accordingly.
But when June passes, everything seems to return to how it was before the month began. The huge amount of support that is shown during this sixth month of the year seems to dwindle down to nothing again.
Being a LGBTQIA+ ally means more than just showing your support, especially if it’s only one month out of the entire year. Being supportive of the LGBTQIA+ community means that you’re standing alongside them with compassion, intention, and action, every month of the year. Allies play an important role, especially in the current political climate where discrimination and inequality still exist. Let’s learn more about what exactly it means to be a LGBTQIA+ ally.
Education
Being a good ally starts with understanding and self-awareness. Allies need to understand the different identities that come along with the LGBTQIA+ acronym. This also means staying up to date and informed on the current issues that affect the community, as well as being aware and more mindful of any of your own personal biases or areas of ignorance. Being an ally means that you’re taking the time to educate yourself, research, and explore, and not relying on your LGBTQIA+ family or friends to provide this education to you. Being a true ally means doing the work yourself.
Centering LGBTQIA+ Voice
It may feel incredibly important to speak up for the LGBTQIA+ community. While this is true, being an ally extends beyond this. Allies know that advocacy doesn’t mean that they’re the main characters. Being an ally means that they’re able to listen without becoming defensive and believe in the LGBTQIA+ experiences. Allies also work hard to make room for the LGBTQIA+ voices in conversations as well as when it comes to making decisions. Authentic support means that the LGBTQIA+ voices are being included and even centered.
Taking Action
Being an ally doesn’t always mean letting community voices speak for themselves. While it’s important to center LGBTQIA+ voices, it’s equally important to speak up and take action. If and when you’re involved in a situation that involves homophobia, transphobia, or discrimination, you have to be willing and able to speak up and out against these types of behaviors and language, even if it’s uncomfortable. There is never a time and place for any of these behaviors. No matter where you are, you have to be okay with speaking up in public places and spaces like your community, schools, or your workplace.
Staying Accountable and Consistent
Being an ally doesn’t mean just showing up to support once or throughout one month. Being an ally is an ongoing commitment that requires accountability and consistency. True allies are open about how they can work to improve and get better. This means that they’re open to feedback, are graceful, and understand that making mistakes is part of the ongoing journey. True allies know that what matters most is knowing when it’s time to apologize, constantly wanting to learn, and striving to work and be better each and every day.
Next Steps
Being an ally doesn’t mean that you have to be perfect. It just means that your support is intentional, you’re willing to continue learning, and you’re open to speaking up. By being a LGBTQIA+ ally, you’re showing that you believe in a world where everyone can live authentically and freely, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation. Reach out today to learn more about LGBTQIA+ therapy how you can be a better LGBTQIA+ ally.
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