How to Become a Better Ally: Supporting Marginalized Communities During Pride and Beyond

How to Become a Better Ally: Supporting Marginalized Communities During Pride Month and Beyond

Written by: Jordan Kadish

Reviewed by: Melissa Cammack, LPC

In a society where marginalized communities continue to face discrimination, prejudice, and inequality regularly, being an ally has never been more important. It’s June, which means it is Pride Month. Happy Pride! Pride Month is a time in which we many people choose to feel motivated to celebrate, honor, and learn about those in the LGBTQIA+ community—whether you are a part of this community yourself or not. Being a good ally is vital during Pride Month in order to celebrate the resilience and diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community. However, allyship goes beyond a single month; it requires ongoing commitment and understanding. 

What does it mean to be an “ally?”

An ally is someone who actively supports and advocates for marginalized communities. Allies use their privilege and influence to amplify the voices and experiences of those who are often overlooked and oppressed by society. They recognize the inequalities faced by these individuals and strive to break down these barriers through education, empathy, and protest. Allies are encouraged to self-reflect in order to challenge their own innate biases, and continuously educate themselves to better understand the struggles and needs of individuals in these communities. Being an ally with privileges should never mean that you speak over or for individuals with less privilege. Instead, it means using your privilege to fight for the empowerment of these individual’s voices and experiences. 

What is Pride Month and Why is it Important to be an Ally During it?

Pride Month holds significant importance as a time to celebrate and recognize the resilience, diversity, and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality, acceptance, and the right to love and express oneself authentically. During Pride Month, being an ally takes on added significance. It is a time to actively show support, stand in solidarity, and advocate for the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals. By being an ally during this month, we help create safe and inclusive spaces where LGBTQ+ individuals feel seen, heard, and validated. It is a time to amplify their voices, uplift their stories, and work towards dismantling the systemic barriers and prejudices they face. Being an ally during Pride Month sends a powerful message of love, acceptance, and affirmation, and it is a testament to our commitment to creating a world that celebrates and embraces the rich diversity of human identity and expression.

How to Become a Better Ally: 

1. Educate yourself. Education is the foundation of allyship and the foundation of future change. Taking the time to educate yourself on the experiences, history, and struggles faced by marginalized communities is endlessly important. Read books, articles, and resources written by individuals in these communities. This way, you can better understand what it is like to be in their shoes. This helps foster empathy. 

2. Actively listen and amplify the voices that often go unheard. Active listening is a powerful tool in allyship. By giving marginalized communities the space for their voices to be heard, we can help validate their experiences and create an inclusive environment. Many people who have faced prejudice may feel scared to speak up, in fear that their experiences will be completely disregarded or ridiculed. By continuously making a safe environment for their voices to be heard, we can work towards empowering these individuals. Additionally, you can use your own platforms to amplify the voices of those in the communities. Share their stories, achievements, and advocacy efforts to increase visibility and promote a sense of understanding. 

3. Challenge bias and prejudice. Although it may be scary at first, it is important to challenge biases and prejudice you may witness in everyday life. Staying silent only makes you part of the problem. The next time you hear a transphobic joke or a racist comment, stand up for these communities and say something. Always address these instances with respect, but don’t back down on fighting for these communities until your point is heard. However, if you feel as though standing up to prejudice may put your personal safety or well-being in danger, please put your safety first. 

4. Support marginalized communities—with more than just good intentions. Going along with the last point, it is vital that you support marginalized communities with action, rather than good intentions, thoughts, or prayers. Although having the intention to be a good ally is great, your intentions don’t mean anything unless your actions reflect them. Being a supportive peer, providing safe spaces for open dialogue, engaging in advocacy by participating in rallies and signing positions, and donating are all great ways to extend your support to these communities. 

5. Promote inclusivity in your everyday life. Whether it’s in our workplaces, schools, or social circles,we can all contribute to inclusivity by fostering respectful and accepting spaces and communication. Pay attention to the language you use, avoiding assumptions and stereotypes. Practice using gender-neutral terms and asking individuals for their preferred pronouns before addressing them. 

6. Reflect upon your own biases. Allyship is a continuous journey of growth and improvement. We can all become better allies. Engage in self-reflection to assess your progress and identify areas for further development. If you find you accidentally said something with bias, misgendered someone, or created a space that doesn’t foster inclusion, apologize and commit to changing this. Mistakes can be made, but when they occur, take responsibility and learn from them. Commit to ongoing education by staying informed about current issues. 

7. Take part in Pride Month, peaceful protests, and other events. Pride month is the perfect time to begin becoming a better ally, because of all the events you can actively participate in. Attending protests, events, celebrations, and walk-outs are all great ways to show your support for communities that have often gone unheard in our society. Not to mention, these spaces are a great chance to meet people in these communities and learn from them, as well as create relationships with other allies. We do acknowledge that some may feel unsafe at these events. Only participate in these events if you feel safe there. 

In conclusion, becoming a better ally is a continuous journey that requires dedication, empathy, and action. We encourage you to take the leap in becoming a better ally this Pride Month!