It’s impossible to separate LGBTQAAI+ people from their environments. This is why, as a clinical social worker, I feel it is my duty to work one-on-one with my clients and to provide support and education to allies in the communities where we live.
The role of the ally is essential in breaking down remaining barriers and creating spaces that are more than safe. We all benefit when minds, hearts, and spaces are open, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of others.
Allyship is an earned role in the LGBTQAAI+ community, and one that should be active, informed, and visible. And, I understand that allies also need spaces to ask questions, gain awareness, and identify opportunities that can elevate them from passive to activated participants in the LGBTQAAI+ movement.