LGBT Ally Week 2014 - Being a Supportive Ally for Youth
21st October 2014
Ally Week is a national youth initiative formalized by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network). It’s a week every October dedicated to engaging in a national dialogue about how everyone in and out of school can work to become better allies to LGBTQ youth. Regardless of youth identity or position, everyone has an opportunity this week to recognize their allyship and take action to become better at it. Www.glsen.org.
GLSEN is a youth service organization and positively impacting youth in schools and communities is their focus. So ally week is addressed towards youth which is a great fit for systems of care. However I would encourage you to recognize how being an ally can be applied to youth or adults and in any setting.
As adults who serve and support youth, it is important for us to recognize that part of our charge includes acknowledging and honoring the authentic identity of these young people. So we are called to action in advocating for the rights and civil liberties that are associated with their identities. PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) is a national advocacy organization that shares great guidelines and tips for being a straight ally to the LGBTQ community.
- Stay Informed. One of the best ways that you can demonstrate your interest in being an ally is to get—and stay—informed. Ask questions, do research, and be honest about what you want to know. There are differences that you need to understand so you can help others get on the same page.
- Speak Up. While some kinds of humor and comments are clearly taboo (most people wouldn’t dare make a racist joke at a staff party), jokes about LGBTQ people tend to continue to slide by without much pushback. Whether we didn’t want to be the PC police, felt frozen because we didn’t know the words or we just didn’t want to sound like the downer. We knew something should be said but didn’t. Your courage to speak up can change cultures and thus change lives.
- Be Honest. To many people, LGBTQ relationships are the same but different. Allies consider LGBTQ relationships to be just as valid, legitimate and real as straight ones but sometimes heterosexual terms don’t always seem accurate or they tend to blur the facts. We might event have the right terms but we don’t use them for fear of making the other per- son uncomfortable or confused. If there is a need to know and you are coming from a place of good intention, just ask.
- Support Equality. The number of places where straight allies can ex press his or her support in small but incredibly meaningful ways is limit less. Your workplaces, house of worship, school, or civic organizations offer opportunities to introduce support or vote in favor of LGBGTQ inclusive policies. Often, your voice as an ally can carry tremendous weight in these environments and arenas in ways that the voices of LGBTQ people cannot.
- Come Out. Now that you’ve gotten informed, spoken up, been honest and supported equality, its time to come out if you haven’t already. Come out as an ally that is. It does not mean that you have to take your voice to a next level but it certainly is a great help if you do.
So I would encourage you to think about the paths that you navigate in your professional work. Identify the importance of allyship and how it is inherently connected to the values and principles of your agency.
Cory Barrett is the LGBTQ Technical Assistance Consultant for the Office of Behavioral Health. Furthermore, he is an organizational development consultant for youth advocate, child welfare and behavioral health entities on a local, state, and national level bringing over 20 years of professional experience to the table.