As our world becomes more accepting of broader and more diverse identities, you may have questions about how you can better support the LGBTQ+ community, or what LGBTQ+ even stands for. Every person has their own journey in understanding what it means to support LGBTQ+ people, whether you’re LGBTQ+ or not.
An ally is someone who stands up for, supports and encourages the people around them. It’s a term that gets used a lot in the LGBTQIA+ community. In this case it refers to someone who is heterosexual or cisgender, but who tries to make the world a better place for people who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Being an ally means:
-Support equal rights for everyone – regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender or religion.
-Do what you can to call out discrimination and to fight for equality
-Try to make the world a better place for anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+.
-Be a listener.
-Be open-minded.
-Be willing to talk.
-Be inclusive and invite LGBTQ+ friends to hang out with your friends and family.
-Don’t assume that all your friends and co-workers are straight. Someone close to you could be looking for support in their coming-out process. Not making assumptions will give them the space they need.
-Anti-LGBTQ comments and jokes are harmful. Let your friends, family and co-workers know that you find them offensive.
-Confront your own prejudices and bias, even if it is uncomfortable to do so.
-Defend your LGBTQ+ friends against discrimination
-Believe that all people, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation, should be treated with dignity and respect.
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