LEARN

• (1) Listen to the experiences and perspectives of LGBTQ people; (2) respect these experiences and perspectives; (3) acknowledge their validity (even if you don’t understand them).
• Seek out information and opportunities to expand your understanding (learn through media, attend events, meet LGBTQ community members, and learn about local services and supports).
• Remember your learning is your responsibility – avoid asking LGBTQ people to answer all of your LGBTQ questions (not all LGBTQ people are comfortable acting in an educator role).

REFLECT

• Be open to feedback about how your behaviour is impacting other people.
• Reflect on and question the stereotypes and negative assumptions held by yourself and others.
• Avoid assuming how people identify. Listen for, or politely ask, how someone wants to be identified.
• When talking about LGBTQ topics, assume there are LGBTQ people or people with LGBTQ loved ones in the room and consider how they might be impacted by the tone, spirit, and direction of the conversation.
• Observe the way other folks around you act as allies, even in the smallest ways.
• Remember, everyone’s experience of gender and sexuality is different and it’s impossible (and unfair) to ask one person to speak on behalf of a whole group!

PRACTICE

• Intervene when you witness offensive behaviour or language.
• Use inclusive language to ensure everyone feels welcome and respected.
• Challenge policies, practices, and procedures that create barriers for LGBTQ people.
• Apologize regardless of intent. Everyone makes mistakes in an ally role, what matters, is how you respond when it gets brought to your attention.
• Be courageous! Don’t be afraid to learn, ask for more information and provide support.

From:

How To Be An LGBTQI2S Ally

We Matter is an Indigenous youth-led and nationally registered organization dedicated to Indigenous youth support, hope and life promotion.

Our work started with the We Matter Campaign – a national multi-media campaign in which Indigenous role models, youth, and community members from across Canada submit short video, written and artistic messages sharing their own experiences of overcoming hardships, and communicating with Indigenous youth that no matter how hopeless life can feel, there is always a way forward.
From: We Matter Campaign

2Spirit/LGTBQ+

Laurie McDonald
Jarret Leaman
Levi Marshall
Randi Ball
Tunchai Redvers

Youth working with the Rainbow Coalition of Yellowknife have created some amazing resources to inform and educate. These resources are great for anyone wanting to learn more about 2SLGBTQIA+ to understand their own identity, if you or someone you know is questioning, or if you are an ally. It is up to you to educate yourself, it is not fair to expect others to do it for you.

Resources – Rainbow Coalition of Yellowknife

What does it mean?

"Everybody has the right to self-identify! No matter what definition you’ve learned, each person may define themselves differently."- Rainbow Coalition YK

The Meaning of the 2SLGBTQQIPAA+ Acronym

LGBTQ2S+: What does it mean?

LGBTQ2S Terms and Definitions