Ally gay meaning
The language and terminology folks utilize to describe their experiences of gender and sexual orientation is ever-evolving and the same term might have different meanings for different people. However, here is a glossary of some of the most commonly used terms. Have questions or want to learn more? Wondering what all of those letters mean? Here is a glossary of some of the most commonly used terms.
Ally – An ally is an individual who speaks out and stands up for a person or group that is targeted and discriminated against. An ally works to end oppression by supporting and advocating for people who are stigmatized, discriminated against or treated unfairly. For the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) communities, an ally is any person who supports and stands up for the rights of LGBTQ+ people.
Asexual – A person who does not experience sexual attraction; they may or may not experience emotional, physical, or romantic attraction. Asexuality differs from celibacy in that it is a sexual orientation, not a choice.
Assigned at Birth – Commonly utilized by
Why I No Longer Call Myself an Ally
Ten years ago, I started facilitating introductory LGBTQ learning sessions. Within this context, I would share that I’m cisgender. I was labeled female at birth, and I am a woman; the alignment of these two facts categorize me as “cisgender.” (Conversely, those whose sex marked at birth does not match their genders are broadly categorized as “transgender.”) I would also call myself a trans ally — someone who supports trans people. At the age, I defined “ally” as someone who supports a community of which they are not personally a member.
During those learning sessions, I talked a lot about terminology and worked to demystify the specific words people wanted to understand. As an introduction, I would explain a rare things about language: (1) Language is fluid. It shifts and changes over time. As people, our relationship to words changes, and our level of comfort with specific words changes. We can all think of some words that used to be acceptable in a particular way and no longer are. (2) Personal
What does it mean to be an LGBTQ ‘ally’?
‘Ally’ is a term that gets used to describe numerous relationships. Countries are geopolitical allies. Business partners are strategic allies. Even long-standing enemies can become temporary allies in the face of a usual foe. Today, it is often used to describe someone who supports a social group they themselves are not a part of. But simply calling yourself an ‘ally’ of the LGBTQ community is not enough. It requires active participation and clear gestures of support for the people around us.
Passive acceptance of the LGBTQ community (saying, for example, “I don’t have a problem with gay people”) is very different from being an active ally who supports LGBTQ inclusion. From policies on healthcare or the ability to adopt a child, to how personal relationships are viewed in the workplace, supporting LGBTQ extends far beyond flying a Pride flag.
Many people are afraid to communicate about LGBTQ issues because they don’t know what the ‘right’ words are. But like any group or netwo
Pride Month: What Does it Imply to be an Ally?
Editor’s note: This story includes updates for 2023.
Merriam-Webster defines “ally” as “one that is associated with another as a helper; a person or group that provides assistance and support in an ongoing effort, activity or struggle.” In recent years, the term has been adopted specifically to a person supporting a marginalized group.
This Pride Month, TCU News talks to Amanda Swartz, Psy.D., a licensed psychologist in the Counseling & Mental Health Center, about what it means to be an ally and how to get involved in allyship at TCU.
What does it mean to be an “ally” to the LGBTQIA+ community?
Quite simply put, an LGBTQIA+ ally is someone who supports and educates themselves about and speaks out and advocates for LGBTQIA+ people and/or community.
How do I incorporate that at TCU?
Allies at TCU actively engage