Benefits of Being an ALLY
- You open yourself up to an additional 10% of the world.
- You have the opportunity to interact with, learn from, teach, and have an impact on a population with which you may not otherwise interact.
- You may be an important reason that your friend, classmate, roommate, teammate, brother, sister, professor, mother, or father finally decide that life is worthwhile." Safe zones" help gay, lesbian, and bisexual people develop stronger self-esteem and pride in who they are.
- You will make a difference in the campus environment and in the lives of the members of the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community.
- You will make the campus a better place for everyone. Oppression is a negative force, and as long as it exists, everyone is impacted.
Responsibilities
Displaying the ALLY Placard Means...
- I am an Ally for and with gay, lesbian, and bisexual people, and that I am gutsy and courageous.
- I know that I'll be making a difference in the lives of gay, lesbian, and bisexual members of the campus community.
- I am designated as a "safe person" to talk to for someone who is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. This means that I am committed to provide support and to maintain confidentiality. I am committed to people with a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender roommate, friend, or family member who may wish to speak with someone.
- I will work to confront homophobia and heterosexism by demonstrating my support of people in various ways. This may include speaking up when a homophobic joke is told, planning awareness activities, or just being there.
- Though I may be an Ally for the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community, my actions mean little if I simultaneously put down other groups on the basis of their race, culture, gender, social status, or physical and mental abilities.
