Tools for Allies

So…what does it mean to be an ally to LGBTQ people, and how can we each become the best allies we can be?

Washington and Evans (1991) define an ally as ” a person who works to end oppression in his or her personal and professional life through support of, and as an advocate for, and oppressed population” (p. 195).

Becoming an Ally. In Nancy J Evans and Vernon A Wall (Eds.),
Beyond tolerance: Gays, lesbians, and bisexuals on campus

What motivates us to do ally work?

“An ally [to LGBTQ people] is one who takes action against homophobia and heterosexism (heterosexual privilege) because they believe it is beneficial to lesbian, gay, and bisexual [and transgender] people, and because they believe it is in their own self-interest as well”

Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice (1997).
Maurianne Adams, et al (Eds.), p. 146.

Growing more effective as allies on behalf of LGBTQ people means our willingness to work on at least four levels of our own personal development:

  • Awareness and Sensitivity
  • Knowledge and Information
  • Skill and Competence
  • Action