artificial insemination syringe
It’s easy to adopt a new trend when it seems like everyone else is doing it. Whether it’s peer pressure or simply wanting to fit in, we often feel emboldened to try out new fads, be it a workout routine, fashion statement, or the latest streaming series. If something you try brings you joy, that’s fantastic! But if it flops, you can easily share the blame with others who also jumped on the bandwagon. This is how trends emerge, and it explains why so many people own air fryers—though I’m not one of them because it doesn’t interest me.
The same herd mentality applies to those proclaiming allyship during Pride Month. It’s easy to label yourself an ally when it feels like a collective movement, but many who do so lack a true understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community. Joining the rainbow parade in June can often come off as performative; individuals and corporations alike may feel a sense of fulfillment by publicly supporting queer rights, as if that makes them champions of the cause. However, if you think that allyship is only required in June, you’re missing the point.
I notice this trend more during Pride Month than at any other time of the year. I see the rainbow filters on profile pictures and the posts celebrating Pride parades, but too many people call themselves allies without taking real action throughout the year. Often, people will embrace this label in reaction to news about discrimination or anti-queer legislation, trying to show support for their LGBTQIA+ friends. But if that allyship does not translate into consistent, everyday actions, then those words ring hollow.
While it’s great to hear that you support the LGBTQIA+ community, genuine allyship is about more than just having queer friends or stating that everyone deserves equal rights. It transcends the act of purchasing rainbow-themed merchandise in June. Moreover, if you’re buying from companies that funnel money into anti-LGBTQ legislation rather than supporting organizations that uplift queer individuals, that is not allyship. Not recognizing the difference between supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals and financially backing those who oppose us is a significant misunderstanding.
True allyship requires effort, starting with educating yourself about the issues that affect the LGBTQIA+ community. Are there local laws in your state that strip rights away from queer and transgender individuals? Does your school district have an inclusive curriculum that teaches queer history and sexual health for all identities? Are your colleagues protected from anti-LGBTQIA+ discrimination? Does your place of worship affirm queer identities? And what steps are you taking to make these spaces safer for your queer friends and family? Are you advocating for policy changes? When you refer to yourself as an ally, are you also working to dismantle oppressive systems based on race, gender, ability, and nationality? Queer individuals encompass many identities, and allyship must acknowledge these intersections.
Not everyone is equipped or willing to engage in this level of activism. However, grassroots work is what drives change and can genuinely save lives. If you can’t actively participate, consider donating to those who are. You can find countless individuals and organizations in need of financial support by searching for “LGBTQ” or “transgender” on platforms like GoFundMe. On social media, the hashtag #TransCrowdFund can guide you to many individuals seeking assistance for affirming healthcare, housing, or transportation.
If financial contributions aren’t feasible, consider giving up your comfort and speaking out for LGBTQIA+ individuals at every opportunity—even if it means confronting friends or family. Being an ally is often loud, messy, and uncomfortable, but it should leave no doubt about your willingness to stand with queer individuals when it matters most. We need to know we can rely on you outside of June, because allyship isn’t just about cheering for a couple on a Pride float.
Being an LGBTQIA+ ally isn’t simply a title you can bestow upon yourself; it’s something you must earn through consistent action and commitment, ideally receiving acknowledgment from the queer community itself. Supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals doesn’t mean you are actively fighting for us, creating safe spaces, or using your privilege to amplify our voices.
Reflect on when you choose to express your support for the queer community. When you label yourself as an ally, what specific actions have you taken to give that title meaning? Are you doing what’s easy or what’s genuinely necessary? Don’t just tell me you’re an ally; show me.
If you’re interested in learning more about issues related to LGBTQIA+ rights and home insemination, check out this resource on pregnancy and home insemination or explore various options at Cryobaby’s home intracervical insemination kit.
Search Queries
- What does it mean to be an ally?
- How to support LGBTQIA+ rights year-round?
- Why is allyship important for the LGBTQIA+ community?
- Ways to educate yourself about LGBTQIA+ issues
- How to become a better ally?
In summary, the term ‘ally’ should not be taken lightly. It requires continuous effort, understanding, and action beyond mere declarations. Genuine allyship is about standing in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community all year round, advocating for their rights, and ensuring that your actions align with your words.