Allies & Advocates
Ideal Qualities
An Ally:
- Has worked to develop an understanding of LGBT people and their needs.
- Chooses to align with lesbians, gays, and bisexuals and responds to their needs.
- Believes that it is in her/his self-interest to be an ally.
- Is committed to the personal growth (in spite of the probability of discomfort and possible pain) required.
- Is quick to take pride in personal success in responding to homophobia and overcoming fears.
- Is able to acknowledge and articulate how patterns of fear have operated in his/her lives.
- Expects support from other allies.
- Expects to make some mistakes but does not use it as an excuse for non-action.
- Knows that both sides of an ally relationship have a clear responsibility for their own response to the oppression whether or not persons on the other side choose to respond.
- Knows that in the most empowered ally relationships, the persons in the non-oppressed role initiate the change toward personal, institutional, and societal justice and equality.
- Knows that he/she is responsible for humanizing or empowering their role in society, particularly as their role relates to responding to homophobia.
- Promotes a sense of community with lesbians, gays, and bisexual people and teaches others about the importance of outreach.
- Has a good sense of humor.
Source: Condensed from N.J. Evans & V. Wall, 1991.
Page last modified December 22, 2010
