Support, Part 1: Being Visible

One of the key ways to be an ally is to support LGBT students in your school.  In this post I will begin to describe the dos and don'ts of being an ally and over the course of the next four days will discuss four main ways you can be supportive:

• Being a visible ally
• Supporting students who come out to you
• Responding to anti-LGBT language and behaviors
• Supporting student clubs, such as Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA)

I will begin this four part series with being visible since one of the most important parts of being an ally to LGBT students is making yourself known as an ally.  In order to come to you for help, students need to be able to recognize you as an ally.  Even if students don't come to you directly, research shows that just knowing that there is a supportive educator at school can help LGBT students feel better about being in school.  Making yourself visible can be as simple as displaying a sticker.  It can also be demonstrating and modeling supportive behaviors.  Below you will find some suggestions of how to be a visible ally to LGBT students.

MAKE YOUR SPACE VISIBLE

Make your classroom or office visible as a safe space for LGBT students.  This will help students identify you as someone to come to for support and your space as one where they will be safe.

Post Safe Space materials. Display Safe Space stickers or posters in your classroom or office.  This will let students know that it is a safe space and that you are supportive of LGBT students.

Display LGBT supportive materials.  Post supportive materials such as quotes from famous LGBT icons, information about the LGBT community or materials from LGBT organizations.  Along with signs for national holidays and months of celebration already in the classroom (e.g. Black History Month or Women's History Month), display information about LGBT History Month in October, LGBT Pride Month in June or Ally Week in October.


MAKE YOURSELF VISIBLE

Making yourself visible as an ally will allow students to easily identify you as a supportive educator.

Wear a visible marker.  Wear a supportive button or wristband or even a simple rainbow bracelet.  These will let students know that you are a supportive ally without saying a word.

Let other educators know.  In an ideal world, all educators would be supportive allies to LGBT students.  But the reality is that you may be one of only a few at your school.  Let other educators know that you are an ally and share with them the important role they too can play in supporting LGBT students.


LET YOUR ACTIONS SPEAK FOR YOU

Sometimes your actions can speak louder than any button or poster.  Here are simple actions you can take that will let staff and students know you are an ally.

Make no assumptions.  When engaging with students, or even other staff and parents, do not assume you know their sexual orientation or gender identity.  Don't assume that everyone is heterosexual or fits into your idea of gender roles - be open to the variety of identities and expressions.  In our society, students constantly receive the message that everyone is suppose to be straight.  Show students that you understand that there is no one way a person "should" be.

Use inclusive language.  Through casual conversation and during classroom time, make sure the language you are using is inclusive of all people.  When referring to people in general, trying using words like "partner" instead of "boyfriend/girlfriend" or "husband/wife", and avoid gendered pronouns, using "they" instead of "he/she".  Using inclusive language will help LGBT students feel more comfortable being themselves and coming to you for support.

Respond to anti-LGBT behavior.  Responding to anti-LGBT behavior when it occurs or when you hear about it will let students know that you do not tolerate homophobia or transphobia.  It sends a strong message that anti-LGBT behavior is not acceptable to you and not allowed in your school.