when donating for school events. This protection keeps everyone physically and psychologically safe from discrimination and bigotry in school settings and at school events.
2
How to Be an LGBT+ Ally
Several educators may question whether there is a need for reading this book. These are typically either those who have personal feelings and beliefs about the LGBT+ community or those who already identify themselves as LGBT+ supporters. Those who have personal opinions and beliefs must recognize that it is against codes of conduct and professional codes of ethics to do less for one group of students than another or to allow one’s personal beliefs or opinions to negatively influence the educational experience that students receive. It is also likely in the contract signed to become an educator that there is something in the policy that prevents educators from adversely interacting with students, staff, parents, and community members based on their minority status(es). This means that even if a reader of this book has powerful beliefs against the LGBT+ community or against students who self-identify as LGBT+, it is not permissible to avoid this topic. Instead, the information within this book can help both those with negative beliefs with opposition and those who already identify as LGBT+ supporters to best understand how to use their platform as educators to provide the best possible environment and experience for all, including the LGBT+ community.
The idea of identifying as an ally of any marginalized group of people is not new. While many may consider themselves to be an “LGBT+ ally,” there is significant difference across the spectrum of ally identities. For others, this book may require more introspection to identify how and why their personal beliefs, opinions, and actions may influence their treatment of LGBT+ students, school staff, and school community leaders. Regardless of what identity a reader of this book wears, being mindful of that identity is not enough. Instead, we must examine what it means to be someone who supports the LGBT+ community, whether this is due to a personal conviction or mandates by the profession, the school district, and/or policies and laws.
This leads to questioning who qualifies as an ally. What makes a person qualified to identify as someone supportive of this community? This is something that may be debatable. In some cases, a person may identify themselves as an ally by simply not going out of their way to harm an LGBT+ person. Others may think that their ally status applies because they vote in each election in favor of inclusive policies. While neither of these is incorrect, and both benefit the LGBT+ community, this is not enough. Some debate whether the word “ally” is the best descriptor of a person regarding the LGBT+ community and their impact on it. While “ally” is the most commonly used word, some use the word “advocate,” which implies much more of an active experience. To be an ally simply means to not go against this group of people. To be an advocate would acknowledge speaking up with or for LGBT+ people in situations where there may not be an LGBT+ person present, or where it may not be safe for an LGBT+ person to be out. Those who do more may be considered an “activist.” Typically, this is a person who participates in different layers and levels of supporting the LGBT+ community. This may mean that the person talks with school boards or local, state, or federal politicians regarding better protections for LGBT+ people. In organizations that actively work to prevent equality for LGBT+ people, allies, advocates, and activists may be referred to as “accomplices.” In the same way that a person who commits a crime may have an accomplice who helps them to commit a crime, the word “accomplice” is used to draw negative connotations to anyone who works to support the LGBT+ community.
How do you let people know that you are supportive? This is something that is much more introspective. Although we’ve discussed when this support is mandated by your profession, by your professional association, and by the rules and regulations you agreed to in order to become an educator in your specific school, how you support and how you let people know that you support is much more personal.
This leads us to consider how much you will stand up in support of the LGBT+ community. Is there something you are willing to say, but if you get a certain amount of pushback, you will sit quietly? This can cause us to ask: What are you willing to risk? Is there a line for you regarding who you are willing to upset, or how much you are willing to speak up and where you could be silenced? This is not rooted in judgment; different people have different priorities.
In some cases, it might be less risky for a person who has additional income to speak more loudly in support of the LGBT+ community because they are not financially risking their ability to pay their bills. In other situations, a person may have to choose whether to risk being suspended or terminated at work to support the LGBT+ community. While this is not intended to create a hierarchy of support among you and your colleagues, this is an internal or even a family conversation you may wish to have in advance so that you can make these decisions during a time at home rather than in the middle of a debate or problem situation.
Another question to consider is whether you would be willing to accept the stigma that comes with an LGBT+ identity. Often, our society believes that people only fight for those who are like them. It can cause people to question the personal identity of allies, advocates, or activists working for any marginalized groups. However, it is often much easier to see a person not identifying with a group they support when this differentiation is visible and prominent. For example, a white person participating in a protest or discussion for Black Lives Matter does not at any time appear to be a person of color. Since identifying as LGBT+ is not always visually apparent, supporting this community may cause some to make assumptions about one’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Thus, it is essential to consider how far you may be willing to go to support a community and at what point, if ever, you will feel the need to separate yourself from the community by making it clear to others that you are not a member of that community.
In some cases, this may feel like simply being honest or even showing others that this population deserves support and acceptance from everyone, not just from other LGBT+ people. In different situations, becoming vocal about one’s own gender identity or sexual orientation becomes a way to lessen the risk or minimize any backlash of participation of support. Again, there may not be a correct answer, but this is something you may wish to think through or talk through before events occur in which decisions would need to be made on this topic.
Let’s look at mistakes that are often made by those who do indeed mean well and are supportive of LGBT+ people. This is not intended to cause you to second-guess your support in the future, or to come down hard on yourself if you realize anything that follows may indicate a mistake you have made in the past. This is intended to shine a light on areas that may not have been highlighted and to provide new considerations for supportive behaviors moving forward.
Do you tell your colleagues if somebody identifies as LGBT+? Is this something that you tell because it is exciting gossip? Is this something that you discuss with the intention of preventing somebody from making a homophobic, biphobic, or transphobic comment in front of a person who identifies as LGBT+? While the aim here may be right, it is never appropriate to talk about a person’s sexuality or their gender unless they have given you specific permission to do so. Although you may mean well, this can create situations in which safety may become an issue for an LGBT+ person because there are some who do become violent, and because it means that the LGBT+ person does not know exactly who is aware of their identity. In addition, many states of America still allow a person to be fired for identifying as LGBT+. Even in cases where you think you are being helpful and where you absolutely mean well, outing an LGBT+ person at any time can put them at significant risk. Outing them in a workplace or to anyone who also works there can result in them losing their job. While this may not seem like a realistic situation because you know your colleagues, it is not always clear whose personal beliefs may cause them to create problems for an LGBT+ person.
Do you support equality specifically for the accolades and praise? While many people like to complete volunteer work or attend events in support of a minority group, it is essential to consider whether you would continue to support these organizations, people, and
