Transcript Document
Ally Training
Presenters:
Zerr Her
Abby Novak
Introductions
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Name
Year in school/Age
Major/Occupation
P.G.P.
o
Preferred Gender Pronoun
He/she/they/zie
• Reason for coming
Safe Space Rules
We will respect
everyone’s needs,
feelings and opinions.
We will keep personal
stories and names
anonymous.
We will agree to
disagree.
Brainstorm rules for
maintaining a safe space.
We will work to make
everyone feel welcome
and involved.
We will not put down
ourselves or others,
even in humor.
Steps to Becoming an Ally
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Awareness
Knowledge
Skills
Action
Awareness
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Explore how you are different from and
similar to LGBTIQQAA people.
Gain this awareness through talking
with people who are part of the
community, attending workshops, and
through self-examination.
It Gets Better Project
Privilege:
Your experiences of privilege as an
ally?
Heteronormative Privilege
LGBT
Heteronormative
• Additional Privileges
o
o
Show affection, pain,
Talk about relationship
You are “Normal,”
Legally marry
Live comfortably,
Dress how you want
Don’t worry about hiding
anything
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Open support from family and
friends.
Your partner as part of your
family.
Your friends’ sexuality isn’t
questioned because of you.
Workplaces privileges
Knowledge
• Educate yourself on the many communities, cultures and
identities of LGBTIQQAA people.
• Terms
• Symbols
Term: LGBTIQQAA
Lesbian
Ally
Gay
Asexual
Bisexual
Questioning
Transgender
Queer
Intersex
More Terms
• Sexual Orientation
o
o
Spectrum
Not the same as sexual behavior or
romantic orientation
• Biological/Physical Sex
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o
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Hormones
Chromosomes
Genitals
• Gender
o
Gender Role
Socially constructed
o
Gender Identity
Biological sex and
gender identity don’t
always match up!
Tuh-tuh-tuh-TERMS!
• Non-binary
o
o
Umbrella term
Rejects gender binary
In the Closet
• A person who has selfidentified as a member of the
community but conceals this
information.
• Often this is related to the
perceived safety of the
environment.
Coming Out
• A process of disclosing one’s sexual
orientation or gender identity
• Continual process
Symbols: Flags
Asexual
Transgender
Pansexual
Rainbow
Bisexual
Genderqueer
Intersex
More Symbols
Female
Transgender/ Queer
Lesbian
Bisexual Female
Male
Gay
Bisexual Male
Skills
• Consider your awareness and knowledge.
• COMMUNICATE it to others. You can acquire those skills
through workshops, role-playing with friends or peers, and
developing supportive connections.
How to be an Ally
• Language
• Be non-gender specific
• Do not assume someone’s
sexual orientation
• Challenge conceptions on
gender appropriate
roles/behaviors
• Don’t make assumptions
based on attraction
• Respect others’ gender
expressions
• Speak out
• Educate yourself
• Support and get involved
with LGBT causes and
organizations
• Develops an
understanding
• Believes it is in their selfinterest to advocate for
others
• Is committed to personal
growth
• Able to acknowledge
differences and privilege
• Makes mistakes
•An Ally…
Coming Out as an Ally
You may have to repeatedly “come out” and tell friends and family that you support the LGBT community.
Be prepared to defend yourself and the rights of your friends and loved ones.
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. Someone close to you could be looking for
support in their coming-out process. By asserting that you are an ally, they may come to you for help in
this process.
Homophobic comments and jokes are harmful. Let your friends, family and co-workers know that you find
them offensive.
Scenarios
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Yay!
What is difficult about some of
these responses?
What’s the Trade Off?
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Gain self respect
Gain the respect of others
Support a closeted LGBT friend in the group
Model acceptance of differences for friends
Action
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Action is the most important and most
frightening step.
Despite the fear, action is the only way to
create change in society.
Ally Buttons!
What qualities and attributes
does an ally possess?
Questions?
For more information, contact the UW-L Pride
Center at [email protected]