June is National Pride Month – a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community, history, and their struggles to obtain equal rights. It’s always fun to grab your favorite rainbow outfit and come out to a party or parade each June, but it is just as important to be an Ally to all members if the community all year long. Here are 10 ways you can be a better Ally and friend.
- Be a listener.
- Be open-minded.
- Be willing to talk.
- 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. Not making assumptions will give them the space they need.
- Anti-LGBT comments and jokes are harmful. Let your friends, family and co-workers know that you find them offensive.
- Confront your own prejudices and bias, even if it is uncomfortable to do so.
- Defend your LGBT friends against discrimination.
- Believe that all people, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation, should be treated with dignity and respect.
- If you see LGBT people being misrepresented in the media, contact glaad.org.