Identity it does not stop existing:
Online Spaces: "What is the new reality that we entered?"
Online spaces are a new environment for many, lacking traditional communication customs, lacking many gendered/ heteronormative expectations, leaving room to redefine and create new traditions that are more welcoming to others, ourselves, and marginalized communities. Throughout this blog, the focus will be: reintroducing practical terms, glimpse into "How to be an ally," and "Easy tools for all." This guild meant for all who participate within online spaces or communities, even educational/ professional realms, to broaden horizons of communication.
Practical Terms: "How to see gender from a different perspective."
To even begin to grasp allyship, one must first understand some terminology within genderqueer communities and familiarize socially imposed ideas that create binary gender expectations. That ideology is known as Cisnormativity; the general assumption is that everyone identifies with their assigned sex is a tactic meant to alienate those of nonbinary identifying groups. Without addressing this specific norm, collectively all contribute to the passive support to the oppression of queer minority groups, women, and people of the trans community. This raises the question of what does it mean to be proactive with how we engage with others?
Allies: "Who are those that are changing the relationships between those of the queer and non-queer community?"
Allyship is defined by the usage of privilege to openly stand against the structures of oppression. All the while learning and understanding queerness, additionally the diversity that exists within these communities. Being an Ally is a journey of continuous learning as queerness is an ever-expanding group of people, with different cultures, voices, and struggles. Also, understanding that specific organizations are actively trying to take rights away from others, and ask yourself who am I supporting in using this service? Entering this journey can be as simple as implementing practices that can include the following general guild lines.
How to be an Ally:
- A zero-tolerance policy for discrimination
- Being a bystander to the injustices of others can look like many things, but an important thing to keep in mind is that you can always ask if you are unsure.
- Listen
- No one person shares the same story, nor is there a collective story to listen to all varied experiences.
- It is a 24/7/365 thing.
- Always call out slurs and jokes to offend others, regardless of what might have been saying. Having the person think about what they told begins to change how comedy/ usage of language is redefined.
- You can make mistakes.
- You can mess up on this journey; you can make mistakes even while trying to do the right thing. It is essential to know that regardless you can apologize and learn.
- Ask questions but avoid intrusive questions.
- Ask questions while keeping in mind what are your intentions of learning that specific knowledge. Is it necessary to know? Is there any way to make sure that I do not offend someone?
- People hold many identities.
- No one person is singularly defined by their gender or sexual orientation. They are still whole people.
- Inform yourself
- Learn about how policies, regulations, media, and norms impact those not within the binary standard.
- Uplift those most impacted
- The voices of Black, Trans, and other marginalized communities are often left without an outlet for their struggles and stories. As well as consider who is not being accounted for.
- Make space for people.
- In a society that is always trying to impose the same expectations, harmful narratives, and oppression, it is difficult to consider some of the struggles those of queer communities can experience. Taking the time to allow them to exist as their whole selves is essential when supporting people as an Ally.
- Being a bystander to the injustices of others can look like many things, but an important thing to keep in mind is that you can always ask if you are unsure.
- No one person shares the same story, nor is there a collective story to listen to all varied experiences.
- Always call out slurs and jokes to offend others, regardless of what might have been saying. Having the person think about what they told begins to change how comedy/ usage of language is redefined.
- You can mess up on this journey; you can make mistakes even while trying to do the right thing. It is essential to know that regardless you can apologize and learn.
- Ask questions while keeping in mind what are your intentions of learning that specific knowledge. Is it necessary to know? Is there any way to make sure that I do not offend someone?
- No one person is singularly defined by their gender or sexual orientation. They are still whole people.
- Learn about how policies, regulations, media, and norms impact those not within the binary standard.
- The voices of Black, Trans, and other marginalized communities are often left without an outlet for their struggles and stories. As well as consider who is not being accounted for.
- In a society that is always trying to impose the same expectations, harmful narratives, and oppression, it is difficult to consider some of the struggles those of queer communities can experience. Taking the time to allow them to exist as their whole selves is essential when supporting people as an Ally.
Online: Tools that promote inclusivity
It is always essential to take some first steps to get you started on your journey to being an Ally! Things that can help are adding your "Prefered Gender Pronouns" (P.G.P.) to your Zoom username and changing your email signature to include your P.G.P. as well as avoiding gendered language within general communications to others. Introduce yourself, and don't forget to practice introducing yourself with your P.G.P., remind others to share their pronouns. Always remember that it is okay to stop others from informing them that exclusive language still detracts from the messaging as it actively excludes others.
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