Many self-defined “allies” wear the phrase and ideology like an article of clothing, easily discarded when it’s no longer fashionable to wear.

Do not take credit for the labor of those who are marginalized and did the work before you stepped into the picture Being an ally is not an easy thing for everyone to do and it is not something that you can just stand there and say “I’m an ally for race equality”. It’s about taking serious action and putting some real energy into those actions. Allies: Real Talk About Showing Up, Screwing Up, And Trying Again” by Shakirah Bourne and Dana Alison Levy is a welcome addition to the expanding space surrounding how to be an ally. Through the lens of 16 the different pieces numerous issues were explored. Things such as race, gender identity, disability. Each piece was told in an authentic way that posed important questions for readers to reflect upon. While it may be presented as a book for Young Adults, I think that it serves as a great introduction for teens (high school) and adults of all ages on what allyship is all about.

5. The Scholar

Think of this guide as one of many starting points in your journey to become a better ally. This guide isn’t meant to be comprehensive nor is it perfect. There are people far more versed than I, who have dedicated their life’s work to this sort of education. In reality, most of us naturally know the right way to react when we step on someone’s toes, and we can use that to help us learn how to react when we commit microaggressions. Our Young Readers team has 25 years of experience delivering fun reading events to help pupils develop their own reader identity and engage with reading for pleasure. Round and Round We Go" by Kayla Whaley- Some interesting commentary on living in this world with a disability. Use your platform to amplify someone else’s ideas and story — this could be in marketing, communications, presentations, reports, verbal storytelling, vendor management and procurement, product and service design, or some other way that your platform can elevate new voices and ideas. Make sure you credit those ideas and voices, elevate their status, and share your influence.

A LGBTQ+ person should always have control over who they come out to and how they do it. Do not assume that because someone is out to you, they are out to everybody. You should never out a person to others. If you’re asked to keynote or serve in a similar public role and know someone from an underrepresented group who’d be an equally good fit (or better), recommend that person (after asking them first if they’d like to be put forward). As a white, cis, heterosexual disabled woman at first I wasn’t sure how much I’d relate to some of the experiences described in this book. And to be fair, I can’t say that I 100% do relate to every experience because that would be disingenuous. But, i did notice a feeling of “yeah, I can relate” with almost every piece at one point or another. To me, that shows how well the authors throughout the book did when explaining their experiences. I think this empathy is the first step towards being a good ally.In light of recent events and tragedies, I’ve been hearing the word “ally” a lot. Many people want to be an “ally”, and even more people are unable to fulfill the duties allyship requires. In May 2015, Andrew Grill was a Global Managing Partner at IBM and a speaker at the Online Influence Conference. He was on a panel along with five other men when a female member of the audience posed the obvious question to the all-male lineup: “Where are the women?” Today, Pride events commemorate the history of the LGBTQIA social movement and mark an opportunity for the community to come together. Celebration is a big part of it, but it’s key to remember the activism and bravery that started it all. OK, so what exactly is LGBTQIA? LGBTQIA is an acronym that collectively refers to individuals who identify as in any of the following ways: Believe others’ experiences. Don’t assume something couldn’t happen just because you haven’t personally experienced it.

From raw stories of racism and invisible disability to powerful moments of passing the mic, these authors share their truths. They invite you to think about your own experiences and choices and how to be a better ally. The Unsafe Space" by Adiba Jaigirdar- An author that has a 2022 release I really want to read. I loved her essay and the commentary she included. However, as someone who has done this many times, I’ve learned that if someone is experiencing impostor syndrome or if they are dealing with a lot in their life, they may say no or not respond to your invitation. Try again, and let them know why you want their expertise. And if you’re It’s up to people who hold positions of privilege to be active allies to those with less access, and to take responsibility for making changes that will help others be successful. Active allies utilize their credibility to create a more inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive, and find ways to make their privilege work for others.If you’ve been invited to give a speech or presentation, ask if you can bring an expert colleague with you to the stage. Many trainings and articles about microaggressions focus on how you can intervene in the moment, which is a crucial part of allyship. But in addition to intervening, there are other important ways to support people who experience microaggressions, systemic inequities and other barriers to opportunity — and one way is through microafffirmations. Investigate and read publications, podcasts, or social media by and about underrepresented groups within your industry. This is great collection of essays for anyone who wants to be a better ally or thinking about becomng one. People perform better when they can be themselves. We want you to help us make Imperial a place where everyone can bring their best selves to work, and a place where all our students feel safe and included.

I use the word “ally” loosely because I find it overused and often abused by those who label themselves “allies.” Despite its current misuse, using a different word would only cause confusion. As you read through this guide, be aware that your definition of “ally” may not be the same as the definition I’ll introduce you to. What’s so special about this guide? These authors share their truths. They invite you to think about your own experiences and choices and how to be a better ally. This guide can’t and shouldn’t be everything to you. At some point, you need to take responsibility and further your education. When you’re done with the guide, please find ways to learn more. To be an LGBT ally is easy. If you agree in equality and fair treatment in society of people who identify as LGBT then already you are an ally. As you sit and read this you can bask in the warm glow and sense of self-satisfaction that you are a force for good in the world. Well done. Think of pain as a gradient—it doesn’t have to be extreme to have a significant impact. Accidentally misgendering someone can cause them pain. Stepping on someone’ toes can cause them pain. Attributes of a good apologyLearning about the experiences and history of LGBTQ+ people shouldn’t stop after June, which is why we wanted to share an updated list of resources to help us all learn how to be the best allies we can be! First, a brief history of Pride An even more comprehensive (though still not exhaustive) acronym is LGBTQQIP2SAA: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, intersex, pansexual, two-spirit (2S), androgynous, and asexual. Here’s a more detailed explanation: