How to be an ally

Posted by
On June 7, 2022

rainbow with message boxes

Ways you can support the LGBTQ+ community

What does it mean to be an ally to LGBTQ+ people?

Many of us hear the term, especially this time of year, during Pride Month. But we may not have a good understanding of what it means.

In the LGBTQ+ community, the term “ally” often refers to someone who doesn’t identify as LGBTQ+ but is supportive. Being an ally means listening, supporting and being available to LGBTQ+ people. It also means amplifying the voices of LGBTQ+ people.

“Allyship is active,” says Annie Birt, peer education program coordinator in S&T’s student well-being office. “It is a process of both listening to and uplifting queer voices in spaces they may not have access to. It’s about listening to what’s important to queer people and pushing their message in those places” to influence policies and help make an organization more welcoming to LGBTQ+ people.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to allyship, but there are many ways allies can support the LGBTQ+ community. Here are some examples of ways to be a good ally.

1. Understand your privilege.

Before standing up for the rights of others, you must first understand the rights and privileges that you have and those that others don’t, Birt says. “Even today, in 2022, it is still scary to be a queer person,” they say.

Individuals in the LGBTQ+ community frequently face challenges like:

  • Being afraid to freely show affection to their partner in public or even simply appearing as a couple in public.
  • Having to come out again and again.
  • Experiencing discrimination or violence because of their sexuality or gender identity.
  • Spending time researching whether organizations, restaurants and destinations are safe for them to visit.

“You may not have even thought about some of these challenges, not by any fault of your own, but because you have not had to,” says Anitra Rivera, Missouri S&T’s acting chief diversity officer.

2. Listen and learn.

Birt and Rivera both say people who want to become allies must take the time to educate themselves.

“It’s important not to depend on people in the LGBTQ+ community to educate you,” says Rivera. “Instead, do your own research and learn about the issues that are important to the LGBTQ+ community that need support.”

Ways to inform yourself include:

  • Reading blogs, books, tweets and news articles by people in the LGBTQ+ community. Here on campus, S&T’s Curtis Laws Wilson Library has “a rich collection of LGBTQ+ resources,” says Roger Weaver, interim dean of the library. “Anyone needing assistance in locating materials may ask at the service desk. The library is also celebrating Pride Month with a display of popular LGBTQ+ resources in the entrance lobby.  
  • Learning the history of the LGBTQ+ movement. “It’s important to have a base-level understanding of the movement,” says Birt. For example, Pride Month, held every June, commemorates the Stonewall riots of June 1969, when “black and brown trans women stood up and took their power back,” Birt says. Understanding Stonewall’s origins is essential to understanding “why things are the way they are today.”
  • Participating in training opportunities and educational programs designed to increase the awareness of issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community. S&T’s student diversity initiatives office (SDI) offers training on allyship and safe space training for students, faculty and staff who want to become allies.
  • Getting to know individuals in the LGBTQ+ community. SDI offers an allyship listserv to connect people on campus and provide information on LGBTQ+ History Month events and programs in October. Anyone interested may email sdi@mst.edu to join the listserv.  

3. Be present and authentic.

Be aware that just saying that you’re an ally is not enough. “Being present” is also essential, says Birt. That presence translates to participation in LGBTQ+ events as well as on a personal level with LGBTQ+ friends.

One way to respect others and create an inclusive environment is by using someone’s correct personal pronouns, says Jessica Gargus, director of student well-being.

“Sharing your own pronouns first is a way to encourage other people to share theirs and help make them more comfortable,” Gargus says. “If you’re meeting someone new one-to-one, you might say something like: ‘Hi, I’m Akeem, and I go by ‘they/them’ pronouns. How should I refer to you?’

“You need to follow up with consistent and authentic actions,” she says. “It is an active process that involves the practice of unlearning and relearning and building relationships with marginalized individuals or groups.”

“Focus on amplifying queer voices, not necessarily your voice,” says Birt, who uses they/them pronouns.

It’s also important to understand that simply declaring yourself as an ally does not necessarily mean you will be perceived as one, Birt adds.

4. Accept feedback.

Don’t approach conversations or situations expecting to know everything or to be better informed than your LGBTQ+ friends, Rivera says.

“Be open to making mistakes, being corrected and moving on,” she says. “Earn trust by seeking and accepting feedback from people within the LGBTQ+ community.”

Birt adds that it’s important to be empathetic, thoughtful and sincere.

5. Keep the conversation going.

Share with others how they can become a better LGBTQ+ ally and join with your fellow supporters. Missouri S&T’s Campus Pride Committee, coordinated by the student diversity initiatives team, is one venue where allies can provide visible support. The student organization Spectrum welcomes allies as well as LGBTQ+ people. Beyond campus, the LGBTQ+ Rolla organization welcomes involvement by university students, faculty and staff as well as others in the community. One opportunity to keep the conversation going and meet other allies will occur June 24, during the Phelps Pride event at Schuman Park.

Resources

  • Missouri S&T’s LGBTQ+ Resource Center provides information and resources for students.
  • S&T’s LGBTQ+ support group is one of several groups that meet regularly.
  • One-on-one wellness consultations are also available to S&T students through the student well-being program. Visit the well-being website to sign up.
  • The Trevor Project is a national organization for college-age students or younger.
  • Trans Lifeline is “run by and for trans people” to provide peer support.

Share this page

mm
Posted by

On June 7, 2022. Posted in email, News

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *