How you can be a heterosexual ally.

We each have complex identities. From our different identity groups--such as our gender identity, race, age, religion--we experience different levels of oppression and privilege simultaneously. Recognizing the privileges we receive from an identity can help us to act as allies.

It is important to note that within any form of oppression--such as racism, ableism, sexism, ageism and classism--the person who belongs to the dominant identity group could act in the following ways as an ally. (For example, change the title of this handout to: How you can be a male ally" or "How you can be a white ally," etc.)

* Remember that lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgendered and questioning (LGBTQ) people are human beings first and foremost.

* Relax. Don't worry about what to say or do. Just be yourself.

* Communicate with LGBT people and find out what each individual is like rather than making assumptions about LGBT people as a group. If you don't know, ask respectfully. If people do not wish to answer or explain, respect their choice.

* Listen to how each LGBTQ person chooses to self-identify, ("lesbian," "gay," "she," "he," etc.) and then respect that in conversations with them and about them. Using words, names or pronouns someone uses to self-identify is one way of showing respect.