The four basic levels of becoming an Ally

• Awareness: Explore how you are different from and similar to LGBTQ people. Gain this awareness through talking with LGBTQ people, attending workshops and self-examination.
• Education: Begin to understand policies, laws and practices and how they affect lesbian, gay and bisexual people. Explore the many communities and cultures of LGBTQ people.
• Skills: This is a difficult area. You must learn to take your awareness of LGBTQ issues and communicate your knowledge to others. You can acquire these skills by attending workshops, role-playing with friends or peers and developing support connections.
• Action: This is the most important and challenging step. Despite this challenge, action is the only way to effect change in society as a whole.

Five points

• Have a good understanding of sexual orientation and be comfortable with your own.
• Be aware of the coming-out process and realize that it is not a one-time event. The coming-out process is unique to LGBTQ people and brings forth challenges that are not always understood.
• Understand that LGBTQ people receive the same sociocultural messages about homosexuality and bisexuality. Many LGBTQ suffer not only external homophobia and heterosexism but also internal. Because of this, it is important to recognize the risks of coming out and to challenge internal oppression.
• Remember that LGBTQ people are diverse. Each group within the larger LGBTQ community has unique needs and goals.
• Know at least basic information about HIV/AIDS in order to address myths and misinformation and to be supportive of those affected by the disease. While HIV/AIDS is a health issue for all, those who live with the most fear and have lost the most members of their community are LGBTQ people.

Last Modified: May 7, 2007