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IN FOCUS: ARTICLE |
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Being an LGBTQ Ally
by TAG and Ellen Friedrichs, 04.28.06
Stand up against people who bully or harass LGBTQ people or other people for being "different." |
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Many teens go to schools where homophobic comments are made on a regular basis. Alex explains that at his last school, homophobia was common among students and teachers. "My school was really anti-gay," he says. "I even had a teacher who would make gay jokes in class, and no one ever did anything about it."
Though such negative atmospheres are far too common, many schools have taken positive steps to fight homophobia. At Olga's school, there is a club especially for students who are LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning). "We have something called the Rainbow Club at my school," she explains. "It's a place where gay kids can go and hang out. Straight kids can join, but the idea is to have a place for gay teens to feel safe and do stuff together and have fun."
It's not just administrators or teachers who can change things — students play a huge part in making schools friendlier to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. With that in mind, the TAG Team keep came up with this list of how you can be an ally — a person who doesn't identify as LGBTQ but supports LGBTQ people.
- Ask your guidance counselor to get brochures about LGBTQ issues and keep them where everyone can see them — like the health resource room, locker room, cafeteria, nurse's office, or bulletin boards around school.
- If your school has a gay-straight alliance, join it. If it doesn't, start one up.
- Talk with people who make negative comments, and tell them what they are saying isn't cool and why it isn't cool.
- If you say things like "That's so gay" or use negative words for gay people as insults, check yourself!
- Don't promote negative stereotypes about people — any people. Call them out when you hear them.
- Stand up against people who bully or harass LGBTQ people or other people for being "different."
- Have an open mind yourself. Respect everyone — even people who are different than you — and don't judge people.
Want more tips on fighting homophobia in school? Check out GLSEN — the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network — and make your voice heard!
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