LGBTQ Allies

Out, Safe & Respected

An ally is someone who supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people and works side by side with them around issues of equality. Allies play an important role in making sure that schools are safe places for everybody. They can be anyone: straight students who join a gay-straight alliance (GSA), parents who take an active role in promoting diversity in their child’s school or teachers who are committed to helping LGBTQ students feel safe at school and to making sure that LGBTQ issues are heard.

Adult allies can be especially helpful, as they often have power to take action on behalf of students. For example, Lambda Legal represented two teachers in Michigan — one in middle school and the other in high school — who insisted on including LGBT people in educational messages of diversity and respect, even though some school administrators objected. Both teachers had created displays for LGBT History Month that commemorated the historical role of lesbians and gay men, and addressed antigay harassment. At first the school’s interim superintendent ordered them to take down the displays, but Lambda Legal helped these teachers fight the school district and won the right to make this important information available to students.

The Michigan case supports all teachers who seek to create a safer learning environment by including LGBT people in educational messages. Studies have shown that students in schools that address antigay harassment feel safer and less isolated. There are many other things adults and young people can do as allies to help LGBTQ students feel safe, included and respected at schools across the country. The first step is to commit to fighting discrimination against LGBTQ students and to making your school a safe place for everyone. The next step is to get involved.

Check any of the following ways you can be an ally this year:

I will try to be open-minded.

I will try not to make assumptions about people’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

When I hear people say things like “That’s so gay,” “You faggot” or “She’s such a dyke,” I will take a stand and speak up against using this language.

I will help form a GSA at my school.

I will go to GSA meetings at my school.

I will wear a rainbow pin or a pink triangle.

I will help educate others about anti-LGBT discrimination and the contributions of LGBT people.

I will attend LGBT events (Pride marches, plays).

I will help advocate for my school to adopt a nondiscrimination policy that includes sexual orientation and gender identity.

I will make sure school events include everyone.

I will request books by LGBT authors and about LGBT people and issues for the school library.


If you’ve done any of these things, then you’re already an ally — keep up the good work. If you haven’t, now is a great time to start.