AGLBICAL n Association of Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Issues in Counseling of Alabama n www.aglbical.org
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ALLIES &
Univ North Texas: |
BEING AN ALLY OR ADVOCATE Beyond Tolerance: Moving Toward Understanding, Appreciation, and Celebration
Denying or ignoring. This stage of response includes inaction that supports lesbian, gay, or bisexual, or gender presentation oppression coupled with an unwillingness or inability to understand the effects of homophobic and heterosexist actions. This stage is characterized by a “business as usual” attitude. Though responses in this stage are not actively and directly homophobic or heterosexist, the passive acceptance of these actions by others serves to support the system of oppression.
Recognizing, but no action. This stage of response is characterized by a recognition of homophobic or heterosexist actions and the harmful effects of these actions. However, this recognition does not result in the action to interrupt the homophobic or heterosexist situation. Taking action is prevented by homophobia or a lack of knowledge about specific actions to take. This stage of response is accompanied by discomfort due to the lack of congruence between recognizing homophobia or heterosexism yet failing to act on this recognition. An example of this stage of response is a person hearing a friend tell a “queer joke”, recognizing that is homophobic, not laughing at the joke, but saying nothing to the friend about the joke.
Recognizing and interrupting.
This stage of response
includes not only recognizing homophobic and heterosexist actions, but
also taking action to stop them. Though the response goes no further
than stopping, this stage is often an important transition from
passively accepting homophobic or heterosexist actions to actively
choosing antihomophobic and anti-heterosexist actions. In this stage a
person hearing a “queer joke” would not laugh and would tell the joke
teller that jokes that put down any minority, including gays, are not
funny. Another example would be a person who realized that s/he is
avoiding an activity because others might think s/he is lesbian, gay,
bisexual or transgender if s/he participates in it, and then decides to
participate.
Questioning and Dialoguing. This stage of response is an attempt to begin educating others about homophobia and heterosexism. These stages go beyond interrupting homophobic and heterosexist interactions to engage people in dialogue about these issues. Through the use of questions, and dialogue, this response attempts to help others increase their awareness of and knowledge about homophobia and heterosexism.
Supporting and Encouraging. This stage of response includes actions that support and encourage the anti-homophobic and anti-heterosexist actions of others. Overcoming the homophobia that keeps people from interrupting this form of oppression even when they are offended by it is difficult. Supporting and encouraging others who are able to take this risk is an important part of reinforcing anti-homophobic and anti-heterosexist behavior.
Initiating and Preventing.
This stage of response
includes actions that actively anticipate and identify homophobic
institutionalized practices or individual actions and work to change
them. Examples include teachers changing a “Family Life” curriculum that
is homophobic or heterosexist, or counselors’ inviting a speaker to come
and discuss how homophobia can affect counselor-client interactions.
TIPS FROM GLAAD
FIGHT FOR EQUAL RIGHTS
Here's how you can join the fight for gay equal rights:
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AGLBICAL n Association of Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Issues in Counseling of Alabama n www.aglbical.org