Allies lgbtq definition

Pride Month: What Does it Mean to be an Ally?

Editor’s note: This story includes updates for  

Merriam-Webster defines “ally” as “one that is associated with another as a helper; a person or group that provides assistance and support in an ongoing effort, activity or struggle.” In recent years, the term has been adopted specifically to a person supporting a marginalized group.

This Pride Month, TCU News talks to Amanda Swartz, Psy.D., a licensed psychologist in the Counseling & Mental Health Center, about what it means to be an ally and how to get emotionally attached in allyship at TCU.

What does it mean to be an “ally” to the LGBTQIA+ community? 

Quite simply put, an LGBTQIA+ ally is someone who supports and educates themselves about and speaks out and advocates for LGBTQIA+ people and/or community. 

How do I incorporate that at TCU? 

Allies at TCU actively engage with LGBTQIA + students in an open and affirming way. All TCU students need to be fully and authentically welcomed, as they are. Making sure class

Why I No Longer Ring Myself an Ally

Ten years ago, I started facilitating introductory LGBTQ learning sessions. Within this context, I would share that I’m cisgender. I was labeled female at birth, and I am a woman; the alignment of these two facts categorize me as “cisgender.” (Conversely, those whose sex marked at birth does not correspond their genders are broadly categorized as “transgender.”) I would also call myself a trans ally — someone who supports trans people. At the period, I defined “ally” as someone who supports a community of which they are not personally a member.

During those learning sessions, I talked a lot about terminology and worked to demystify the specific words people wanted to understand. As an introduction, I would explain a few things about language: (1) Language is fluid. It shifts and changes over time. As people, our relationship to words changes, and our level of comfort with specific words changes. We can all think of some words that used to be acceptable in a particular way and no longer are. (2) Personal

Programs

Everyone is welcome to participate the LGBTQ+ Bar!

The LGBTQ+ Bar’s Ally Initiative aims to broaden our verb and invites non-LGBTQ+ legal professionals and law students to join the LGBTQ+ Bar. Straight and cisgender allies play an key role in the ongoing movement to protect LGBTQ+ rights and ensure equality and equity for everyone. If you’re a legal professional who is interested in the legal brawl for LGBTQ+ rights and in building a more inclusive and diverse legal profession, show your help by becoming a member of the LGBTQ+ Bar today.

What does it imply to be an ally? Allyship is a verb, not a noun. That means being an ally is about what you do, not who you are. Genuine allyship with the LGBTQ+ community requires embracing everyday actions that support your LGBTQ+ community members and coworkers. Some actions allies take include:

  • Educate yourself about the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Attend DEI trainings and panels discussing diversity in the legal profession.
  • Openly pronounce your support of the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Advocate for hiring and promotion processes that re

    LGBTQ+ Allyship

    An ally is someone who advocates alongside marginalised communities to empower their voices and together spread knowledge, awareness, respect, and to challenge oppression.

    If you agree in equality and fair treatment of people who identify as LGBTQ+ then you are already an ally. But there are some really simple things you can do to go from passive support to being an active and engaged LGBQ+ ally.

    Familiarise yourself with the language

    Use respectful terminology to everyone around you and to help you to feel more confident when discussing LGBTQ+ issues. Read a glossary of terms and teach yourself the right language to use when talking with LGBTQ+ people.

    It’s okay to ask questions but check the person you’re asking is happy to answer them and that they're not offended or uncomfortable. It's not for LGBTQ+ people to tutor you everything themselves. Grab time to teach yourself the language and experiences.

    Identity-based language for LGBTQ+ people can be an individual thing. Don’t assume everyone is comfortable using the same language to explain their identit