How to Be a Straight Ally to the GLBT Community

Maybe you have a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender friend; or perhaps a gay son or a lesbian aunt. Or it could be you just want to battle discrimination against all people. No matter what their motivation, straight allies are crucial to the GLBT community’s fight for equality.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Knowledge of GLBT issues
• Support groups
• Ready comebacks for homophobic comments

Understand The Need for Allies

1. Discrimination is always about the majority oppressing minorities. If enough members of the majority support a minority’s goals, the minority grows in power.
2. In this country, and in most states and cities, GLBT persons can be fired or denied housing just for being GLBT.
3. Only in Massachusetts can same-sex couples get married (but those marriages are not recognized by the federal government) and in only a handful of states can couples form a civil union or domestic partnership. That leaves countless partners and their children without Social Security, health insurance and hundreds of other benefits.

Figure Out How You Can Help

4. Attend meetings of like-minded people such as those of Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays, which have chapters in most cities.
5. Ask GLBT people how you can help, either in a personal manner or in general activism.
6. Speak up. When you hear comments like, “That’s so gay!” remind people that this remark is hurtful and even nonsensical. It’s like saying, “That’s so having an attraction to the same sex.”
7. Spread the word. Look for conversational opportunities to talk about your friend and his partner, or your transgender co-worker in manner that normalizes them.
8. Attend GLBT events such as Pride celebrations, marches and meetings. Your presence will make a difference.

Tips & Warnings

• Learn as much as you can about GLBT history
• Don’t offend GLBT people by thinking you understand their issues more than they do.