Rebecca Parisher, LPC
Jun 1, 2021
June 1st marks the beginning of Pride month, the month that invites LGBTQ+ communities worldwide to come together and celebrate being their true selves. While members of the LGBTQ+ community are primarily associated with Pride celebrations, LGBTQ+ allies are also invited to events to celebrate amongst their friends and family members.
What is an LGBTQ+ ally? Marriam-Webster defines an 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”. Adapting this definition to fit LGBTQ+ allies, an ally would be a straight and cisgender person who advocated for, joins with, and supports members of the LGBTQ+ community. As an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist and ally, I try to advocate for members of the LGBTQ+ community, and one way to do that is to help others become better allies for the LQBTQ+ loved ones in their lives.
GLAAD, one of the first organizations formed to advocate against LGBTQ+ defamation and discrimination, has identified 9 ways that straight/cisgender people can make better allies:
Through following these guidelines, allies can ensure that their LGBTQ+ friends, family, coworkers, and classmates can feel heard, accepted, empathized with, and supported.
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