Strategies for Being an Effective Ally

Assume that all people want to be allies to people oppressed groups. Assume that you in particular are good enough and smart enough to be an effective ally.
Assume that you have a perfect right to be concerned with other people's liberation issues.
Assume that all people in the target froup want members of your groups and in particular as an ally.
Assume that any apparent rejections of you as an ally are the result of target group people's experince of oppression and internalised oppression.
Assume that people in the raget froup aer already communicating to you in the best way they can at the present time. Assume that they can and will do better.
Assume that target group people are esperts on their own experince, and that you have much to learn from them.
Recognice that as a non-target group person you are an expert on the experince of having been conditioned to take the oppressor role.
Assume that target froup peope are survivors and that they have along history of resistance.
become an expert on this history and assist taget group people to take full pride in that history.
Become an expert on all the issues which are of concern to the people in the target group, especially the issues which are most closely tied in to their internalised oppression.
Assume that making mistakes is part of the learning process of being an even more effective ally. Acknowledge and apologize for mistakes; learn form them but don't retreat.
Don't attemot to convince target group people that you "are on their side"; just be there.
Do not expect "gratitude" from people in the target group; remember, being an ally is a matter of your choice. Graciously accept the gratitude that you may get, but don't expect it.
Be a 100% ally; no deals; no strings attached.

WHAT AN ALLY DOES

Uses approrpriate language; confronts inappropriate language and behaviors.
Suppoarts activities, policies, etc. that address LGBT concerns.
Supports other Allies.
Builds relationships with other oppressed groups.
Regard LGBT people as whole human beings.
Takes responsibiliety for equalizing power.
Asks questions.
Appreciates the rish a LGBT person takes in coming out.
Appreciates the efforts of LGBT people to point out the mistakes an ally might make.
Takes risks.
Educates self on LGBT culture, homophobia and heterosexism.
Begins to educate others about LGBT culture, homophobia and heterosexism.
Actively participates and identify homophobic instiutional practices or individual actions and works to change them.
Addresses LGBT people, and not their behavior.
Continue to work on their level of acceptance.
Acknowledge the risks facing LGBT people in our society.
Become knowledgeable on issues which often concern LGBT people.
Acts as a 100% ally -- no strings attached.
Openly and honestly expresses their feelings.