Are you in Ally Week prep mode yet? We are. Looking for things to do for Ally Week? We’ve got plenty: Check ‘em out!
WANT TO MAKE YOUR OWN ALLY VIDEO?
- Put the GLSEN Ally Week logo before the video begins. Use this logo http://glsen.us/U8zey9
- (For allies to LGBT youth) Start or end your video by saying “I’m [Your Name] and I’m an ally”. Tell us why you are an ally or why you love allies!
- The video must be less than one minute long (not including logo at the beginning)
- Upload the video to your YouTube account
- Include #AllyWeek in the title and make the video public so that we-and others-can find it.
Ally Week is almost a month away and allies are already beginning to speak up! Watch Yerenny share why she’s an ally.
WANT TO MAKE YOUR OWN ALLY VIDEO?
- Put the GLSEN Ally Week logo before the video begins. Use this logohttp://glsen.us/U8zey9
- For allies to LGBT youth: Start or end your video by saying “I’m [Your Name] and I’m an ally”.
- Tell us why you are an ally or why you love allies!
- The video must be less than one minute long (not including logo at the beginning)
- Upload the video to your YouTube account
- Include #AllyWeek in the title and make the video public so that we-and others-can find it.
We’ll be featuring ally stories here on our Tumblr and also on the Ally Week website!
I’m Carly and I’m an Ally
As a straight ally myself, I am acutely aware of the important roll allies play in creating school environments where all students, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, feel like they can be themselves and still be safe and respected. I have seen firsthand how allies can, and have, “been the change,” whether that is by helping to build respect and understanding for LGBT students in their schools, or by speaking up for those who may not be in a position to speak up for themselves, or who may feel afraid to do so. The word “ally” is related to the word “alliance,” and I think that really defines the vital roll straight allies play perfectly. They are the second half of an alliance—a team—of students of all different sexual orientations and gender identities, together working for success and safety in schools all across the country.
Unfortunately, despite the necessity for straight allies—both students and teachers—in all schools, many communities are lacking in allies, in part because many don’t know how to start or help or speak up. They might not feel like they have an important place in the safe schools effort because they don’t identify as LGBT. And that’s where Ally Week comes in. Ally Week is a unique and significant week of action because it empowers straight students just like me to be an ally—a friend—to all their peers. By supporting, educating, identifying, and celebrating allies, Ally Week shows students that they can be a force for change and a force against bullying.
Everyone needs an ally, and everyone can be an ally. And that is why I will always enthusiastically celebrate and support Ally Week—and hope others will too!
Do you have an ally story? Share it with GLSEN & Ally Week!
Yerenny is an ally.
Want to share your story of being an ally. Here you go!
Ally Week is October 15 - 19! Let’s build a movement and show that allies are important—and that it’s important to be an ally!
Grab an I’m An Ally or I ♥ Allies sign, download it, take a picture with it. Upload it to Tumblr and tag it with “Ally Week”, submit it through Tumblr or send it in using the Ally Week website.
