6 Ways You Can Be a Straight Ally for the LGBTQ Community

After the recent Orlando shooting , in which 49 people were killed and 53 were injured, the first thing I did was reach out to my best friend. She is unarguably the kindest, most genuine, and lovable person I know- and she happens to be gay. Knowing that LGBTQ people were targeted - in a place they came for community and support - immediately triggered thoughts about what I would do if that were her at that nightclub. I would be devastated knowing that the person I care about so deeply was killed simply because of who she chooses to love. And even though I myself don’t identify as LGBTQ, knowing and loving my best friend is makes it my responsibility to stand beside her and speak out against hate crimes. If we can all come together, including straight allies, we can help prevent these acts of violence and hatred from occurring in the future. But doing so takes more than a Facebook post- it takes action, time, and a commitment to living in a place where we can all feel safe from violence. Here are some ways how: 1. Letting LGBTQ voices be heard Being an ally first means being a support system to the LGBTQ people in your life and listening to what their feelings and needs are. While as allies, we can empathize and advocate for the LGBTQ community , but we cannot speak directly for them. You can share articles written by LGBTQ authors, attend LGBTQ events, such as pride and vigils, and ask our LGBTQ friends and community members what they need assistance with. The question should also be centered on how we can be most helpful. 2. Be inclusive Whether offering your LGBTQ family members and friends support, or advocating for an inclusive environment, working to end the marginalization of LGBTQ people is a step toward equality. I work at a domestic violence and sexual assault center and after inviting a LGBTQ organization to train staff, we put up posters in support of the community, made adjustments to our paperwork to be more gender-inclusive and created an LGBTQ task force. While this is not as easy or even possible in all places of employment, there are other ways to help, like writing a status online to let LGBTQ people know you’re a source of support if they need to talk after the shooting, or inviting LGBTQ friends and family to hang out. 3. Advocate for change We can contact our local policy makers and advocate for laws that work to end discrimination against LGBTQ people. While marriage equality was a steppingstone toward social justice, there is still rampant discrimination against the LGBTQ community and national issues such as LGBTQ homelessness, acts of violence, health and economic disparities, and more. You can learn how to contact your elected officials at USA.gov , and if you’re interested specifically in advocating for LGBTQ rights' within the military, you can join the American Military Partner Association , a nonprofit that works to support LGBT service members’ spouses , partners, and families. Because while the military has come a long way , there is still more that can be done for our LGBTQ service members. 4. Educate yourself on LGBTQ issues Take the time to research issues that the LGBTQ faces and educate yourself on LGBTQ identities. (There’s an extensive list of terminology at It’s Pronounced Metrosexual .) Make an effort to use the correct terminology and preferred pronouns. Watch movies, read literature on the LGBTQ community and get to know the history of inequality that LGBTQ people have faced. By showing an interest in improving our understanding of LGBTQ issues, we can begin to spread knowledge to the people in our lives and start the conversation. 5. Look at your own biases We all have our own biases, whether they are conscious or unconscious , but we can work to change them and become more inclusive by being honest about them and addressing them as they come up. We can start the process toward open-mindedness through education and awareness, listening to other people’s opinions and CONSTANTLY challenging our own thoughts. Additionally, straight allies can address bias by speaking out against LGBTQ slurs or jokes and having conversations with our own loved ones if we hear them make discriminatory remarks. 6. Donate or volunteer Make the time to volunteer at a local LGBTQ event, get involved with your town or city’s LGBTQ organizations, or donate to a specific cause or organization within the community that is important to you. There are endless ways to get involved, but no matter what your schedule or finances look like, there’s something YOU can do to be a straight ally. Finally, if you want to specifically help victims of the Orlando shooting: You can donate to the GoFundMe page for Equality Florida , which is the LGBT civil rights organization for the state. Your funds will directly support victims of the shooting and their families. You can also donate blood by making an appointment at your local donation center, which you can access through OneBlood . Connect with us on Facebook!

6 Ways You Can Be a Straight Ally for the LGBTQ Community

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