Safe
Zone
Ally Development - Ongoing Ally Training
In relation to issues of oppression, an ally is defined as "a person who is a member of the 'dominant' or 'majority' group who works to end oppression in his or her personal and professional life through support of, and as an advocate with and for, the oppressed population." The following are four basic levels of ally development and are related specifically to becoming and ally to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons.
- Awareness is the first level. It is important to become more aware of who you are and how you are different from and similar to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Such awareness can be gained through conversations with LGBTQ individuals, attending awareness-building workshops, reading about GLBT culture, and by self-examination.
- Knowledge/education is the second level. You must begin to acquire knowledge about sexual orientation and what the experience is for LGBTQ people in this country. This step includes learning about laws, policies and practices and how they affect LGBTQ persons in addition to educating yourself about LGBTQ culture and the norms of this community. Materials listed in the resource lists provided are a good starting place.
- Skills make up the third level. This area is the one in which people often fall short because of fear or lack of resources or support. You must develop skills in communicating the knowledge that you have learned. These skills can be acquired through attending workshops, role playing situations with friends, developing support connections, and practicing interventions or awareness training in safe settings. An example may include confronting a student after hearing them tell a homophobic joke.
- Action is the last but most important level. This is the most frightening step. There are many challenges and liabilities for heterosexuals in taking actions to end oppression of LGBTQ people. However, action is, without a doubt, the only way that we can affect change in the society as a whole; for, if we keep our awareness, knowledge, and skills to ourselves, we deprive the rest of the world of what we have learned, thus keeping them from having the fullest possible life.
Adapted from: Evans, N.J. & Wall, V.A. (1991) Beyond Tolerance: Gays, Lesbians, and Bisexuals on Campus.
One way to learn more about ally development is to attend one of our Safe Zone Training workshops. Learn more about how to be an Ally on the UIS campus and register for an upcoming training session.
What is an Ally anyway?
Someone who:
- has worked to develop an understanding of homosexuality, bisexuality, transgender issues and the needs of the LGBTQ community.
- chooses to align with LGBTQ people and responds to their needs.
- believes that it is in their self interest to be an ally.
- is committed to personal growth and the exploration required.
- is quick to take pride and appreciate success.
- expects support from other allies.
- is able to acknowledge and articulate how patterns of oppression have operated in their lives.
- expects to make some mistakes, but does not use it as an excuse for non-action.
- knows that they can initiate change toward personal, institutional, and societal justice and equality.
- promotes a sense of community with the LGBTQ community and teaches others the importance of outreach.
- has a good sense of humor.
Four Levels in Ally Development
Awareness: It is important to become more aware of who you are and how you are different from and similar to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
Strategies to do this include:
- conversations with LGBTQ individuals,
- attending awareness-building workshops, and
- by self-examination.
Knowledge/Education: You must begin to acquire knowledge about sexual orientation and gender identity and what the experience is for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons in society and in your campus community.
You can do this by:
- learning about laws, policies, and practices and how they affect LGBTQ persons.
- educating yourself about the LGBTQ cultures and norms of this community.
- contacting local and national LGBTQ organizations for information.
Skills: You must develop skills in communicating the knowledge that you have learned.
Ways to accomplish this:
- attending workshops,
- role playing situations with friends,
- developing support connections, and
- practicing interventions or awareness raising.
Action: Action is, without a doubt, the only way that we can affect change in society as a whole; for, if we keep our awareness, knowledge, and skills to ourselves, we deprive the rest of the world of what we have learned, thus keeping them from having the fullest possible life.
Being an Ally Means...
- being informed with accurate and current information on LGBTQ issues.
- helping to create an atmosphere of safety and support, including how it affects LGBTQ students and staff.
- respecting confidentiality concerning questions about LGBTQ issues.
- being aware of services available to LGBTQ youth and adults, including support groups, hotlines, and other community resources.
- considering to post a Safe Zone members list in their office or department, thus raising student and staff awareness of who is safe or accessible.
- inviting others to attend Safe Zone training sessions and meetings.
- continuing to learn about the issues affecting LGBTQ students, staff, and families through asking questions, ongoing conversations with others, and reading.
- challenging hate speech, name-calling, harassment, and discrimination, and real or threatened violence as it pertains to LGBTQ students, faculty, staff, families or those perceived to be LGBTQ.
An Ally Strives ...
- to be an open-minded friend.
- to be willing to talk as well as be a good listener.
- to have his or her own opinions.
- to commit him or herself to personal growth in spite of the discomfort it may sometimes cause.
- to recognize his or her own personal boundaries.
- to confront his or her own prejudices.
- to join others with a common purpose.
- to believe that all persons, regardless of age, sex, race, gender, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation should be treated with dignity and respect.
- to be responsible for empowering his or her role in a community, particularly as it relates to responding to homophobia.
- to support the Safe Zone program of UIS.
(Adapted from the National Coming Out Project)
An Ally is NOT ...
- expected to have all the answers.
- necessarily a counselor, nor is he or she necessarily trained to deal with crisis situations.
- expected to proceed with an interaction if levels of comfort or personal safety have been violated.
