Be an Ally & a Friend |

January 2007

Sure, you watchThe Ellen DeGeneres Show on TV, and you "know" Kevin from Brothers & Sisters and Marc on Ugly Betty, but is there someone in your real life who is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT)? Probably.

Betty DeGeneres — Ellen's mom — made this comparison in her book Just a Mom: "Let me suggest that we all know someone who is left-handed. Lefties make up roughly the same percentage [of the population] as gay people. And yet millions of Americans say they don't know someone who is gay. Unless those people who claim ignorance are living in a place called Fantasyland, they are most likely mistaken."

LGBT people are our mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles and cousins. This is a fact and it isn't going away. You have the opportunity to be an ally and a friend at home, school, church and work. A straight ally can merely be someone who is supportive and accepts the LGBT person, or a straight ally can be someone who personally advocates for equal rights and fair treatment.

Allies are some of the most effective and powerful voices of the LGBT movement. Not only do allies help people in the coming-out process, they also help others understand the importance of equality, fairness, acceptance and mutual respect.

As you read on, you will find helpful resources that will give you more information on being an ally and a friend.

Kyra Sedgwick, Kevin Bacon, Ellen DeGeneres and more ask viewers to be allies and friends to gay and transgender people.

Be An Ally & a Friend

• Be An Ally & A Friend Home
• 10 Ways to Be an Ally & Friend
• Is Your Child Gay?
• Teen & Student Allies
• Promoting Transgender Equality
• Stop Anti-Gay Violence & Bullies
• Images in the Media
• When Your Mom or Dad Is Gay
• Workplace & LGBT Issues
• Equal Rights, Not Special Rights
• Religion & Faith Issues
• Straight Spouses
• Concerns About HIV/AIDS
• Additional Online Resources
• Books