Ally gay meaning
Pride Month: What Does it Mean to be an Ally?
Editor’s note: This story includes updates for
Merriam-Webster defines “ally” as “one that is associated with another as a helper; a person or collective that provides assistance and support in an continuing effort, activity or struggle.” In recent years, the term has been adopted specifically to a person supporting a marginalized group.
This Pride Month, TCU News talks to Amanda Swartz, Psy.D., a licensed psychologist in the Counseling & Mental Health Center, about what it means to be an ally and how to get committed in allyship at TCU.
What does it mean to be an “ally” to the LGBTQIA+ community?
Quite simply put, an LGBTQIA+ ally is someone who supports and educates themselves about and speaks out and advocates for LGBTQIA+ people and/or community.
How do I incorporate that at TCU?
Allies at TCU actively engage with LGBTQIA + students in an open and affirming way. All TCU students need to be fully and authentically welcomed, as they are. Making sure classroom discussions, interactions and assignments are inclusive and welcoming of LGBTQIA + people is es
Why I No Longer Notify Myself an Ally
Ten years ago, I started facilitating introductory LGBTQ learning sessions. Within this context, I would share that I’m cisgender. I was labeled female at birth, and I am a woman; the alignment of these two facts categorize me as “cisgender.” (Conversely, those whose sex marked at birth does not compare their genders are broadly categorized as “transgender.”) I would also call myself a trans ally — someone who supports transsexual people. At the period, I defined “ally” as someone who supports a community of which they are not personally a member.
During those learning sessions, I talked a lot about terminology and worked to demystify the specific words people wanted to understand. As an introduction, I would explain a few things about language: (1) Language is fluid. It shifts and changes over time. As people, our relationship to words changes, and our level of comfort with specific words changes. We can all think of some words that used to be acceptable in a particular way and no longer are. (2) Personal identity always prevails. While I would define each word for the specific regional and point-in-tim
The language and terminology folks use to describe their experiences of gender and sexual orientation is ever-evolving and the same legal title might have different meanings for different people. However, here is a glossary of some of the most commonly used terms. Have questions or desire to learn more? Wondering what all of those letters mean? Here is a glossary of some of the most commonly used terms.
Ally – An ally is an individual who speaks out and stands up for a person or group that is targeted and discriminated against. An ally works to end oppression by supporting and advocating for people who are stigmatized, discriminated against or treated unfairly. For the lesbian, male lover, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) communities, an ally is any person who supports and stands up for the rights of Diverse people.
Asexual – A person who does not experience sexual attraction; they may or may not experience feeling, physical, or romantic attraction. Asexuality differs from celibacy in that it is a sexual orientation, not a choice.
Assigned at Birth – Commonly utilized by transitioned individuals, the term illustrates that the individual’s sex (and subsequently gender in early
LGBTQ+ Allyship
An ally is someone who advocates alongside marginalised communities to empower their voices and together spread knowledge, awareness, respect, and to challenge oppression.
If you agree in equality and fair treatment of people who identify as LGBTQ+ then you are already an ally. But there are some really simple things you can do to go from passive support to creature an active and engaged LGBQ+ ally.
Familiarise yourself with the language
Use respectful terminology to everyone around you and to help you to feel more confident when discussing LGBTQ+ issues. Read a glossary of terms and teach yourself the right language to use when talking with LGBTQ+ people.
It’s okay to ask questions but check the person you’re asking is happy to answer them and that they're not offended or uncomfortable. It's not for LGBTQ+ people to instruct you everything themselves. Accept time to teach yourself the language and experiences.
Identity-based language for LGBTQ+ people can be an individual thing. Don’t assume everyone is comfortable using the same language to portray their identity or experiences. If in doubt, verify with individuals to create sure you’re using language they’re com
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