Ally Week Tabling Responses

For the past 3 days, we have been tabling in the College Center Atrium to raise awareness about, among other things, Ally week. Everyone defines being an ally as something different, but we were hoping to get the message across that being an ally is more than just knowing people in the queer community and being friends with them -- an ally is a person committed to ending the bias and discrimination against LGBTQ people. This can involve anything as large as being an active activist to as small as saying something when a person makes a homophobic slur.

Of course, this description is specific to being an ally to the queer community, but there are other types of allies as well. In general, being an ally is someone who actively fights for a cause that is not their own.

We asked the Vassar Community to respond to the question: "What does being an ally mean to you?" Here are some of my favorite responses:

"Being an Ally means that minority groups don't have to be the only one's educating the closed minded"

"In high school some kids were making fun of the "dykes" (of whom I was one) in front of some of my acquaintances. They politely and firmly told the kids to desist. They were allies."

"Supporting the right to let everyone live to let live"

"Beating up (verbally) people who are jerks to my awesome sister who happens to be queer. She's the shit."

"It means taking care to consider all parts of everyone as important - it means that you know that just because someone is queer does not mean that is ALL they are. They may also be a friend, a lover, a listener, and athlete, a scholar, a writer, an artist, a goofball, a family member, etc."

"Not defining anyone by his or her sexuality"

"To protest hate speech even if it doesn't apply to you."

"Being an ally means getting involved on both social and political levels: from telling your friends to not substitute 'gay' for 'stupid,' to donating to civil rights groups."

"Being an ally means standing together with your community, regardless of your own identity or the identities of those around you."

"Standing up against discrimination. Standing behind the cool chicks and dudes and everyone fighting to live freely."

"Being an ally means being prepared to listen to the needs of others and act in THEIR best interest instead of a preconceived notion of what their interest must be. It means cooperating and remaining conscious of your position and self-interests."

"Standing up to discrimination."

"Being an ally means constant awareness and support. My mom says: lending my voice and speaking up for everyone!"

"Being someone people can come out to."

What are some other ways that you, or people you know, are allies?