LGBT...10 Ways to be an Ally & a Friend

www.glaad.org

10 Ways to be an Ally & a Friend

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.

5.) 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.

6.) Homophobic comments and jokes are harmful. Let your friends, family and co-workers know that you find them offensive.

7.) Confront your own prejudices and homophobia, even if it is uncomfortable to do so.

8.) Defend your LGBT friends against discrimination.

9.) Believe that all people, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation, should be treated with dignity and respect.

10.) If you see LGBT people being misrepresented in the media, contact us at glaad.org.

...allies should NOT tell GLBTers that they are overreacting to an incident that made them feel uncomfortable; nothing is worse to hear from an ally that I'm overreacting to a homophobic incident :grr:

GREAT response. You're a good egg -- I hope the Mormons don't get you!

:pals:

That's certainly key.

I do not count people as allies unless they will vote for gay marriage.

Saying "I promote equality but I don't want gays to marry" means, well, you aren't my ally.

If you don't support gay marriage you're not my friend or my ally. This is just kind of a "Beginners" list...<g>
Lee

:pals:

Separate in name in not equality.

only one...it would be nice if people weren't fired from their workplaces for who they are, too, I should think.

and i'm a 50ish straight woman LOL

My husband used to crack up, now watches with me the news show from NY "Gay USA"

Your help and support are duly noted and truly appreciated!

:hug:

in the Lounge over AA

:eyes:

I saw that thread was kicked again.

:scared:

from a real fag hag :toast: :party: :loveya: :grouphug:

thank you MS. :hug:

We need all the help we can get in our current political climate.

:kick:

Good, positive advice. I hope that I'm doing this.

:applause:

That's an excellent inventory for people to use to evaluate where they are on this issue. K&R.

:D

It makes me happy to see all the positive support on this post. *sniff* Y'all are great.
Lee