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Learn to become a better ally

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Published June 26, 2020 fundamentals
By Laura Osnard

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As Pride month continues, we reflect on what it means to be an “ally.”

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The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) defines an ally as: "A person who is a member of the dominant or
majority group who works to end oppression in their personal and professional life through support
of, and as an advocate for, the oppressed population."

Southern Company LGBTQ+ resource groups, PRIDE Power and Spectrum, include many allies and
offer the following advice:

1.) Use your voice and be brave

Speaking up and speaking out is a major part of being an effective ally. According to the HRC, two-
thirds of LGBT Americans are still facing discrimination. Allies are in a unique position to help the LGBT
community through use of their privilege.

“To me, a good ally is someone who will speak up when they hear or see something that isn’t
appropriate or Southern Style,” said Georgia Power senior support transactional specialist Joyce Ann
Nordell, president of PRIDE Power.

2.) Make your support visible

There are little things that allies can do to make their support visible like displaying an HRC sticker in
the home, office or on their cars. Being a vocal ally lets those around you know that they can come to
you if they need to and that you’re there to support them.

“PRIDE Power had ally magnets made up a few years ago, it was a simple and effective spotlight for
employees to know who they could count on for support at work,” Nordell said. “Having that support
in your corner, relieves some of the stress and anxiety that we can have.”

3.) Don’t let Anti-LGBT jokes slide

Homophobic jokes are a part of normalizing homophobia both in work culture and as a broader
society. These jokes perpetuate inequality, discrimination and violence.

“An ‘ally’ is someone who supports LGBTQ+ people and equality in its many forms — both publicly
and privately,” said Southern Company Gas creative services and brand manager Tuan Lam, president
of Spectrum.

Being an ally could mean letting someone know they’re being microaggressive with a joke they made
at work or correcting a friend during a private conversation.

“Now that many of us are working from home, allyship can take the form of having conversations
with friends and family to let them know you support them, and conversely, having those
 uncomfortable conversations with family members who are using inappropriate terms or who are
being homophobic,” said Nordell.

4.) Listen more

Being an ally is a supportive role and allies should be mindful of making space for their LGBT
counterparts. Making space could mean giving LGBT members a platform to speak and giving them
the ability to be heard. Listening gives allies a chance to have insight into others experiences and they
can find out how to better serve the community. Being an ally means doing the exact opposite of
silencing the LGBT community.

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Last Modified on 06/26/2020 15:12:35 | Page Contact: Darryl Bennett: 8-506-0645 SO Today | Highlights