1. Presenters: Zerr Her Abby Novak
Ally Training
Presenters:
Zerr Her
Abby Novak
Welcome to Ally Training!

2. Introductions Name Year in school/Age Major/Occupation P.G.P.
Preferred Gender Pronoun
He/she/they/zie
Reason for coming

3. Brainstorm rules for maintaining a safe space.
Safe Space Rules
Brainstorm rules for maintaining a safe space.
We will respect everyone’s needs, feelings and opinions.
We will keep personal stories and names anonymous.
We will agree to disagree.
Please keep in mind the following rules to keep this room a safe space for everyone here.
We will work to make everyone feel welcome and involved.
We will not put down ourselves or others, even in humor.

4. Steps to Becoming an Ally
Awareness
Knowledge
Skills
Action
There are 4 progressive steps to make in order to become an Ally.
1st Awareness: You have to first become aware of LGBT issue before you realize you want to become an ally. I feel it is “ok” to say all of you in this room are aware, or else you wouldn’t be here. So good job!
2nd Knowledge: We are going to get you some knowledge by giving information about terms and what means to be an ally.
3rd Skills: Then, we are going to do some role-playing of real life situations that may happen to you, and possibly give you options on how to react during difficult situations.
4th Action: Hopefully, at the end of this training you may of internal incentive to take action as an ally.

5. Awareness Privilege: Your experiences of privilege as an ally?
Explore how you are different from and similar to LGBTIQQAA people.
Gain this awareness through talking with people who are part of the community, attending workshops, and through self-examination.
It Gets Better Project
Privilege:
Your experiences of privilege as an ally?
The first step is Awareness. It means to explore how you are different from and similar to LGBTIQQAA people. Gain this awareness through talking with people of the community, attending workshops, and self-examination
Today I want to talk about privilege. Living in a heterosexist society, many of our norms are tailored towards straight people. This can make it hard for LGBTIQQAA people who don’t entirely fit that mold. It is a privilege in our society to be heterosexual, however, these may be litter privileges that we are not aware of.

6. Heteronormative Privilege
LGBT
Heteronormative
Additional Privileges
Open support from family and friends.
Your partner as part of your family.
Your friends’ sexuality isn’t questioned because of you.
Workplaces privileges
Show affection, pain,
Talk about relationship
You are “Normal,”
Legally marry
Live comfortably,
Dress how you want
Don’t worry about hiding anything

7. Knowledge
Educate yourself on the many communities, cultures and identities of LGBTIQQAA people.
Terms
Symbols
There are other terms that are used within the LGBTIQQAA community. We in no way expect you to learn or memorize these terms, but we would like to share them with you. This way if you have a LGBT friend or peer, you would feel comfortable or knowledgeable to join in a conversation with them that you may have never done before.

8. Term: LGBTIQQAA Term Matching Game Lesbian Ally Gay Asexual Bisexual
Questioning
Transgender
Term Matching Game
Queer
Intersex

9. Biological/Physical Sex Hormones Chromosomes Genitals
More Terms
Sexual Orientation
Spectrum
Not the same as sexual behavior or romantic orientation
Gender
Gender Role
Socially constructed
Gender Identity
Biological sex and gender identity don’t always match up!
Biological/Physical Sex
Hormones
Chromosomes
Genitals
Human sexuality is how people experience the erotic and express themselves as sexual beings. Frequently driven by the desire for sexual pleasure, human sexuality has biological, physical and emotional aspects
Sex identity is an inborn physical reality that originates in the brain. The genitals, which have been the focus of “biological” sex identity designation for millennia, appear to be only incidental to sex identity, whether functional or not.
The sex identity designation, so often done by looking at the genitals, is a socially ascribed action, a mythical power given to the genitals that, as we now know, is a catastrophic error, especially in the instances of transgender or intersex infants.

10. Non-binary Umbrella term Rejects gender binary
Tuh-tuh-tuh-TERMS!
Non-binary
Umbrella term
Rejects gender binary
Non-binary is a catch-all term for gender identities other than man and woman. People who identify as non-binary may think of themselves as being both man and woman, as being neither man nor woman, or as falling completely outside the gender binary. They may wish to have none, some, or all features of the opposite sex.

11. In the Closet
A person who has self-identified as a member of the community but conceals this information.
Often this is related to the perceived safety of the environment.
In the Closet: A person who has self-identified as a member of the LGBTIQQAA community who conceals this information. Often this is related to the perceived safety of the environment. For example, a person may be out to their friends and family but remain ‘in the closet’ at work.

12. Coming Out
A process of disclosing one’s sexual orientation or gender identity
Continual process
Some members of the LGBTIQQAA community see this is a liberation while others struggle with this constant process.
Trust with the individual is a crucial factor in deciding to coming out to them.

13. Symbols: Flags Transgender Asexual Pansexual Rainbow Bisexual
Genderqueer
Intersex
The rainbow flag is six stripes which represent pride in the LGBT community. The bisexual flag is three stripes: fuchsia, purple, and blue. The transgender flag is similar to the bisexual flag in color, but it is five stripes moving from shades of pink to purple to blue.

14. More Symbols Male Female Transgender/ Queer Lesbian Gay
The pink triangle was used by the Nazis to signify homosexuals. Although homosexuals were only one of the groups targeted for extermination, it is unfortunately a group that history often excludes.
Here are the following symbols representing the community:
In the 1970s, gay men started using two interlocking male symbols to symbolize a gay male. Around the same time, some lesbians started using two interlocking female symbols to symbolize a lesbian identity. While male-male and female-female symbols are instantly recognizable, bisexual configurations can be confusing to some. Basically, it starts with whatever sex the bisexual person identifies and puts as a male symbol on one side and a female on the other as a combination of the straight and gay symbols.
The transgender symbol places the male and female symbols together with a new entity, which is a combination of the two making it transgender. The symbol includes everyone, excluding none that is why the symbol is also accepted as a representation of the queer community. The circle is a symbol of wholeness, and represents the wholeness of the community.
Lesbian
Gay
Bisexual Female
Bisexual Male

15. Skills Consider your awareness and knowledge.
COMMUNICATE it to others. You can acquire those skills through workshops, role-playing with friends or peers, and developing supportive connections.
The third step is skills, which means to take your awareness knowledge and communicate it to others. You can acquire those skills through workshops, role-playing with friends or peers, and developing support connections.

16. How to be an Ally Language Be non-gender specific
Do not assume someone’s sexual orientation
Challenge conceptions on gender appropriate roles/behaviors
Don’t make assumptions based on attraction
Respect others’ gender expressions
Speak out
Educate yourself
Support and get involved with LGBT causes and organizations
Language: Use the words “gay” and “lesbian” instead of “homosexual.” The overwhelming majority of gay men and lesbians do not identify with or use the word “homosexual” to describe themselves.
Be non-gender specific: Use non-gender specific language. Ask “Are you seeing someone?” or “Are you in a committed relationship?,” instead of “Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?” or “Are you married?” Use the word “partner” or “significant other” instead of “boyfriend/girlfriend” or “husband/wife.”
Do not assume the sexual orientation: Even when that person is in a committed relationship with someone of a different gender. Many bisexuals, and even some gay men and lesbians, are in different-sex relationships. Also, do not assume that a transgender person is gay or will seek to transition to become heterosexual.
Do not assume: that a gay, lesbian, or bisexual person is attracted to you just because they have disclosed their sexual identity. If any interest is shown, be flattered, not flustered. Treat any interest that someone might show just as you would if it came from someone who is heterosexual.
Challenge your own conceptions about gender-appropriate roles and behaviors. Do not expect people to conform to society’s beliefs about “women” and “men.”
Respect other’s gender expression. For example, if a person assigned male at birth identifies as female, refer to that person as “she” and use her chosen name. If you are unsure how to refer to a person’s gender, simply ask that person.
Speak out against statements and jokes that attack LGBT people. Letting others know that you find anti-LGBT statements and jokes offensive and unacceptable can go a long way toward reducing homo/bi/transphobia.
Educate yourself about LGBT histories, cultures, and concerns. Read LGBT-themed books and publications and attend LGBT events
Support and involve yourself in LGBT organizations and causes. Donate money or volunteer time to LGBT organizations.

17. An Ally… Develops an understanding
Believes it is in their self-interest to advocate for others
Is committed to personal growth
Able to acknowledge differences and privilege
Makes mistakes
An Ally…
Has worked to develop an understanding of the LGBTIQQAA community and their needs.
Believes it is his/her self-interest to be an ally.
Is committed to the personal growth required (in spite of the probability of discomfort).
Is able to acknowledge and articulate how patterns of fear or oppression have operated in their lives.
Expects to make some mistakes but does not use it as excuse for non-action.
Promotes a sense of community with LGBTIQQAA persons and teaches others about the importance of outreach.

18. Coming Out as an Ally
You may have to repeatedly “come out” and tell friends and family that you support the LGBT community. Be prepared to defend yourself and the rights of your friends and loved ones.
Be inclusive and invite LGBT friends to hang out with your friends and family.
Don't assume that all your friends and co-workers are straight. Someone close to you could be looking for support in their coming-out process. By asserting that you are an ally, they may come to you for help in this process.
Homophobic comments and jokes are harmful. Let your friends, family and co-workers know that you find them offensive.
Through your experience as an ally you may experience what is called, “Coming out for Allies” to show that you are an ally. Here is what you my encounter: (Refer to speaking points)

19. Scenarios
Yay!

20. What is difficult about some of these responses?
*Ask the question to the class and illicit their participation.
Here are some potential answers:
Could be ridiculed
Friends might get mad at you
Create an awkward situation
People may think you’re gay

21. What’s the Trade Off? Gain self respect Gain the respect of others
Support a closeted LGBT friend in the group
Model acceptance of differences for friends

22. Action Action is the most important and most frightening step.
Despite the fear, action is the only way to create change in society.
The final step is Action, which the most important and frightening step. Despite the fear, action is the only way to effect change in a society as a whole.
Unfortunately, I won’t be there every time you are confronted with these situations were you might have to stand up for the LGBTIQQAA community. However, before we go I would like to give you some motivation to do so. For change does not come with silence, it only comes with action.

23. What qualities and attributes does an ally possess?
Ally Buttons!
What qualities and attributes does an ally possess?

24. Questions?
For more information, contact the UW-L Pride Center at