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Being an Ally to the LGBTQ2+ Community

westchamplainfht
Nov 8, 2019
2 min read

This is what Frommer's had to say about travelling to Jamaica if you're gay: "Jamaica is the most homophobic island in the Caribbean, with harsh anti-gay laws, even though there's a large local gay population. If you're desiring a trip to get some sun,  forget Jamaica unless you want to stay deep in the closet." I would never had known this had we not researched gay-friendly Caribbean locations last year when planning a family vacation. This is why being an ally to the LGBT community is important; it helps to bring awareness and understanding to a community that often experiences discrimination and harassment. Here are some tips for being an ally to the LGBTQ2+ community:

  • Educate yourself as to the challenges and needs of the community. Look up statistics; do the research.

  • Listen. If you don't understand something, or wish to know an issue facing the LGBT community, ask...and then listen to understand.

  • Be supportive and loving.

  • Confront your own privilege. If you're straight, you are afforded privileges that gay people aren't. Understand that that can impact the LGBT community in ways that you may not understand.

  • Be mindful of language. Words and tone matter; make sure to use politically correct terms and stop using the words associated to the community in a derogatory manner.

  • Be welcoming.

  • Speak up. If you see an injustice, say something; even when its uncomfortable. I can guarantee you it's not going to feel nearly as hurtful as the person on the receiving end of being discriminated against.

Being an ally to the LGBT community means being a friend; it is aligning with others so as to promote fairness, kindness and equality. :) Like this post? Consider subscribing! Photo credit: http://Photo by yoav hornung on Unsplash

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Land Acknowledgement

The West Champlain Family Health Team acknowledges it is located upon the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin People and respects the traditional knowledge and healing developed over generations. We have the privilege and responsibility to serve First Nations, Inuit, and Métis of many backgrounds and from many treaty and non-treaty lands and territories, and to demonstrate respect for the contributions and cultures of Indigenous Peoples.

 

Iye West Champlain Family Health Team ogíkikenindánáwá taniziwadj ondaje Algonquin Anishinábe tanakíwin ega ka mígiwewadj iyo kichi Anishinábewakí ashidj odapítenindánáwá kikádjichigewin ashidj mino nódjimowin ka pamíkán pinawígo. Nínawind d’ayánánán shawenimigoziwin ashidj inenindágoziwin kidji wídókáwadag Anishinábeg, Abitawizíg ashidj Kíwedinóg máneg wendjibáwadj ashidj níbina nakondiwin ashidj ega akíng ashidj tanakíwinan ashidj kidji wábandayá apítenindagoziwin ondji ka mígiwewadj ashidj pimádjiwowinan ogo Anishinábeg Pemádizidjig.

 

The West Champlain Family Health Team is grateful to the Indigenous Health Circle (which works in collaboration with The Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn and the Ottawa Valley Ontario Health Team) for sharing a meaningful land acknowledgement both in English and Omámíwininímowin (the Algonquin Anishinábe language), which is the basis of our own.

© 2023 by West Champlain FHT

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