WHAT DOES IT TRULY MEAN TO BE AN ALLY TO THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY?

WHAT DOES IT TRULY MEAN TO BE AN ALLY TO THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY? Presented by James Stinchcomb and Maggie Thomas Co-chairs of the KSU Presidential Commission on LGBTQ Initiatives 1 PM Room 460

What Does it Truly Mean to be an Ally to the LGBTQ Community? Presented by James Stinchcomb and Maggie Thomas, co-chairs of the KSU Presidential Commission on LGBTQ Inititaves

Definition of Ally: One that is associated with another as a helper: a person or group that provides assistance and support in an ongoing effort, activity, or struggle.* For the LGBTQ community, an ally is a straight and/or cisgender person who supports, advocates, and tries to make the world a better place for people who identify as LGBTQ . *Reference: Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Activism and Advocacy: Activism is about making people listen, but Advocacy is listening to each others’ problems and working on identifying solutions Both activism and advocacy are important and necessary, but advocacy and advocates are more likely to insight sustainable, long-term change. Reference: U.S. Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights

Performative Activism: a pejorative term referring to activism done to increase one's social capital rather than because of one's devotion to a cause; often associated with surface-level activism. related terms: Performative Wokeness and Performative Allyship References: Gray, Jenna M. (October 1, 2018). "Performing Wokeness". The Harvard Crimson. Adegoke, Yomi (June 2, 2020). "We Need To Rethink Our "Pics Or It Didn't Happen" Approach To Activism". British Vogue.

Activism: going to a rally, signing petitions, speaking out, educating, etc. Performative Activism: changing profile photos on social media to a rainbow but then staying silent. (Performing as an Activist) Activists can do things that Performative Activists do, but they do additional things as well Reference: Mayson Thomas, 2021.

https://pflag.org/ https://safespace.kennesaw.edu/ https://lgbtq.kennesaw.edu/ https://www.amazon.com/Transgender-TeenProfessionals-Supporting-Non-Binary/dp/ 1627781749

10 ways to be an ally: 1.Be a listener. 2.Be open-minded. 3.Be willing to talk. 4.Be inclusive and invite LGBTQ 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.Anti-LGBTQ comments and jokes are harmful. Let your friends, family and coworkers know that you find them offensive. 7.Confront your own prejudices and bias, even if it is uncomfortable to do so. 8.Defend your LGBTQ 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 LGBTQ people being misrepresented in the media, say something.

Thank You! Questions?

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