Ally

According to Berkley’s Gender Equity Resource Center, an ally is a person “who advocates for and supports members of a community other than their own.”  The meaning of community is open to interpretation in this definition, but, in this context, one can interpret a community as a group with the same sexual orientation.  This definition also suggests that differences between communities do not faze an ally, and the ally is able to look beyond and accept these differences.   

Allies not only advocate for the rights of other communities, but they assist in reversing misinterpretations individuals may have about the LGBTQIA community.  UCLA’s LBGTQ Resource Center gives a thorough definition of this notion and describes an ally as “someone who confronts heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, heterosexual and genderstraight privilege in themselves and others; a concern for the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex people; and a belief that heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia are social justice issues.”  By including the piece about confrontation in this definition, it implies that an ally recognizes that they have the option of being neutral, or possibly against, other communities, but they choose to support them instead.  Furthermore, an ally believes prejudice and discrimination against any community is irrational and unjust.

Currently, there many organizations composed of allies, but one notable organization is GLAAD, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance against Defamation.  Although the name states that the alliance is only advocating for gays and lesbians, the group supports all genders and sexual orientations.  According to GLAAD, the alliance “works with print, broadcast and online news sources to bring people powerful stories from the LGBT community that build support for equality.”  Using numerous forms of media to expand their alliance and promote acceptance ensures that GLAAD communicates their thoughts to all demographics.  Additionally, working through the electronic media can give future allies a visual representation of the challenges the LGBTQIA community endures.

Works Cited

"About GLAAD." Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. GLAAD, Web. 26 Aug. 2015. <http://www.glaad.org/about>.

"Definition of Terms." Gender Equity Resource Center. University of California Berkely, Web. 26 Aug. 2015. <http://geneq.berkeley.edu/lgbt_resources_definiton_of_terms#ally>.

Green, Eli R., and Eric N. Peterson. "LGBTQI Terminology." UCLA LGBT Resource Center. University of California Los Angeles, Web. 26 Aug. 2015. <http://www.lgbt.ucla.edu/documents/LGBTTerminology.pdf>.