How to be an ally:
1) Be a listener
2) Be open minded
3) Be willing to talk
4) Be inclusive and invite LGBT friends to hang out with your friends and family. Don't assume that all your friends and co-workers are straight.
5) Someone close to you could be looking for support in their coming -out process.
6) Not making assumptions will give them the space they need.
7) Homophobic comments and jokes are hurtful. Let your friends, family and co-workers know that you find them offensive.
8) Confront your own prejudices and homophobia, even if it is uncomfortable to do so.
9) Defend your LGBT friends against discrimination.
10) Believe that all people, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation, deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.11) Assume that, wherever you go, there are gay, lesbian, and/or bisexual people present who are wondering how safe the environment is for them. Provide safety by making it clear that you accept gayness.
12) Notice the many ways in which you reveal your heterosexuality. Imagine how it would feel if you had to keep it hidden.
13) Realize that the cultural oppression of gays/lesbians/bisexuals is perpetuated in social situations where the only hugging and physical affection is between men and women. You can refrain from romantic touching with the other gender, and/or be affectionate with persons of the same gender.14) Sometimes it is the assumptions as well as anti-gay statements, which need challenging. The assumption that everyone present is heterosexual (Heterosexism) is discounting and hurtful to gays/lesbians/bisexuals. Challenge it.
15) If people jump to the conclusion that you are gay/lesbian/bisexual because you speak out about gay oppression or are otherwise supportive, are seen hugging a same-gender friend, etc., resist the impulse to point out that you are not gay. Let yourself experience the oppression that gay/lesbian/bisexual people suffer; it will enrich your sensitivity and empathy.16) Call people by their preferred name, pronouns, and label. Always. Even if you're angry with them, even if they're total jerks, even if they're using gender-neutral pronouns that "sound weird" or "are hard to remember." Yes, even when they're not around to hear. It's a respect thing.
17) Don't try to compliment people by telling them that they look like a "real [gender]," or that you "never" would have known.
An Ally is NOT:
Someone with ready-made answers; necessarily a counselor, nor is he or she necessarily trained to deal with crisis situations; or, expected to proceed with an interaction if levels of comfort or personal safety have been violated.
Sources/
http://www.siue.edu/lgbt/ally.shtml
GLAAD.com
transwhat.org
1) Be a listener
2) Be open minded
3) Be willing to talk
4) Be inclusive and invite LGBT friends to hang out with your friends and family. Don't assume that all your friends and co-workers are straight.
5) Someone close to you could be looking for support in their coming -out process.
6) Not making assumptions will give them the space they need.
7) Homophobic comments and jokes are hurtful. Let your friends, family and co-workers know that you find them offensive.
8) Confront your own prejudices and homophobia, even if it is uncomfortable to do so.
9) Defend your LGBT friends against discrimination.
10) Believe that all people, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation, deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.11) Assume that, wherever you go, there are gay, lesbian, and/or bisexual people present who are wondering how safe the environment is for them. Provide safety by making it clear that you accept gayness.
12) Notice the many ways in which you reveal your heterosexuality. Imagine how it would feel if you had to keep it hidden.
13) Realize that the cultural oppression of gays/lesbians/bisexuals is perpetuated in social situations where the only hugging and physical affection is between men and women. You can refrain from romantic touching with the other gender, and/or be affectionate with persons of the same gender.14) Sometimes it is the assumptions as well as anti-gay statements, which need challenging. The assumption that everyone present is heterosexual (Heterosexism) is discounting and hurtful to gays/lesbians/bisexuals. Challenge it.
15) If people jump to the conclusion that you are gay/lesbian/bisexual because you speak out about gay oppression or are otherwise supportive, are seen hugging a same-gender friend, etc., resist the impulse to point out that you are not gay. Let yourself experience the oppression that gay/lesbian/bisexual people suffer; it will enrich your sensitivity and empathy.16) Call people by their preferred name, pronouns, and label. Always. Even if you're angry with them, even if they're total jerks, even if they're using gender-neutral pronouns that "sound weird" or "are hard to remember." Yes, even when they're not around to hear. It's a respect thing.
17) Don't try to compliment people by telling them that they look like a "real [gender]," or that you "never" would have known.
An Ally is NOT:
Someone with ready-made answers; necessarily a counselor, nor is he or she necessarily trained to deal with crisis situations; or, expected to proceed with an interaction if levels of comfort or personal safety have been violated.
Sources/
http://www.siue.edu/lgbt/ally.shtml
GLAAD.com
transwhat.org
source/ prafulla.net