Unfortunately, when we think we must do something huge, we freeze in fear and uncertainty and do nothing instead.
This often happens in relation to the biggest issues facing us all, like helping the homeless, working to end hunger, caring for children at risk, supporting cancer research, and being an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community. .
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When we think that massive contribution is the only acceptable way to help, we feel not only powerless but miniscule as we face a seemingly impossible task. And so we give up instead of taking baby steps to address our own role in the situation.
You don’t have to be a martyr to be an ally. Sometimes you just need a few good ideas for small, medium and large ways you can deliver proactive support in an impactful way.
First of all, know that You don’t have to be someone who identifies under the LGBTQIA+ spectrum to contribute to people who do.
Here are some tips on what you can do to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community during Pride Month 2022.
If you are a heterosexual person, cisgender (which means that you identify with the gender you were assigned at birth), you can still provide support. As with anything else, you just need to want to be able to be.
Of course, there is a long list of places that Google can alert you to where you can volunteer to do different things, from participating in auctions to serving meals in volunteering.
But I want to point out something that I think is especially important to do during the month of June and during the 12 months of each year. It may seem silly or too obvious, but believe me, this is essential for anyone who belongs to a minority group.
You can, and should, support LGBTQIA people through the revolutionary notion of simply being and teaching others to be civilized, «un mensch», as they say.
Be someone who worth calling a mature human being.
What does this actually mean? It is quite easy and simple.
To begin with, recognize people who are different from you as their peers.
We are all together on this short journey to the other side. And as you know, life goes by too fast.
Acknowledging someone means that you would treat that person, at least, as you would like others to treat you. It means that if a transgender person enters your environment, you don’t look, comment to who is next to you or roll your eyes, and the same thing happens with a family with two dads or two moms.
You treat them as you would treat any other person. And if you see that someone does not do that, you stand up for the person who is being abused and help them feel comfortable.
At this point, you may not think these suggestions are the kind you envisioned when wondering how to be a caring ally, and I understand. But the most basic and perhaps what you can do is offer your peers the respect they deserve.
Of course, there are things you can do to support the LGBTQIA+ community in other ways, too.
Some examples include:
- Give money or give time to an LGBTQ organization.
- Volunteer to provide guidance and support to transgender youth.
- Cook for old people of the LGBTQ community who do not have support from their families.
- Get informed and get involved in politics.
- You can also be supportive and helpful by making sure to identify in your own behavior and language the acts of microaggression.
Microaggressions are defined as «brief and common daily verbal, behavioral, and environmental communications, whether intentional or unintentional, that they convey hostile, derogatory or negative messages to a target person because they belong to a stigmatized group».
For example, a trans man or trans woman may cause genuine confusion, in which case you should apologize sincerely. But this often happens deliberately out of spite and pettiness. Just to point out the circumstances.
If you see this happening, you can stop it.
LGBTQ people feel discriminated against more than you probably realize. Be the support they need, and be there for them not only in June but throughout the year every day.
If you want to provide direct service, start small and work your way up to where want to be. If politics is your interest, participate in the election of LGBTQ people or represent their interests. If you are passionate about helping LGBTQ youth, volunteer to be there for them.
And of course, educate other cisgender and straight people and require them not to be rude is a way important to work towards a positive change in this world.