Michigan Resources: Biphobia, Transphobia Equality Michigan, (313) 537-7000 & Heterosexism 1-866-962-1147, equalitymi.org Becoming Transgender Michigan, (517) 420-1544 • Interacting with a bisexual or transgender www.transgendermichigan.org person and thinking only of their sexuality, rather than seeing them as a whole, complex person. Other Resources: an Ally Parents and Friends of Lesbians & Gays • Changing your seat at a meeting or event because an LBGTIQ person is sitting next to you. (PFLAG), (202) 467-8180, www.pflag.org Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education • Assuming the gender of a person based on A Guide for Service Providers gender stereotypes or the sex they were born. Network (GLSEN), www.glsen.org & Community Members • Assuming that a person is heterosexual. Information provided by the Lesbian, to Help Make Domestic Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, • Not confronting a joke for fear of being identified as an LBGTIQ person. Questioning (LBGTIQ) & Allies Task Force & Sexual Violence Mission & Goals: Services More • Being careful about the kind of clothing you • Enhance and increase access to advocacy and services for LBGTIQ wear or your mannerisms so that you don’t have individuals who are survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Welcoming to Lesbian, a “certain look.” • Help develop more supportive and inclusive working environments for LBGTIQ service providers. Bisexual, Gay, Transgender, • Assuming that if an LBGTIQ person shows • Provide education to member agencies and the public on issues friendliness towards you, she or he is making a related to heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia as Intersex, Queer & sexual advance. they relate to the unique dynamics of LBGTIQ domestic and sexual violence. Questioning Survivors. • Work to affect positive social change in the LBGTIQ community and • Not asking about your LBGTIQ co-worker’s the domestic and sexual violence movement. partner, although you regularly ask about your • Confront heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and heterosexual co-worker’s spouse. other prejudices in the movement and in member agencies.

• Reacting negatively to public displays of For more information about the LBGTIQ & Allies affection between LBGTIQ people, but Task Force, please contact: accepting the same displays from heterosexual couples.

• Feeling that LBGTIQ people are too outspoken Michigan Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence 3893 Okemos Rd. Ste B2 | Okemos, MI 48864 about their rights. (517) 347-7000 | TTY (517) 381-8470 [email protected] | www.mcedsv.org Key Terms HOW CAN I BE AN ALLY? Ally: a person who is a member of the dominant or majority group who works to end oppression in her or his own personal and professional life UNDERSTAND SUPPORT through support of and as an advocate with and for the oppressed population. Your stereotypes, prejudices and privilege. Provide support to LBGTIQ individuals who are subjects of heterosexist, homophobic, Bisexual: a person whose sexual and romantic Your own feelings about LBGTIQ issues. biphobic, or transphobic jokes and slurs. feelings may be for people of any gender. This can be done privately or publicly. Why you feel it is important to be an Ally. Lesbian: a woman or girl whose primary sexual and romantic feelings are for people of the same Don’t out people unless given permission to gender.. How heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia do so. and transphobia affect both LBGTIQ and Gay: a man or boy whose primary sexual and heterosexual people. Closeted people in your jobs, classes and romantic feelings are for people of the same neighborhood may be wondering how safe gender. While many people use this term only to refer to gay men, others use it as a general term to that environment is for them. include both men and women. For example, “the LEARN gay community.” Read LBGTIQ newspapers, magazines and ACT! Transgender: a person’s behavior or identity that books and watch LBGTIQ-themed movies. falls outside the stereotypical expectations for Interrupt and confront heterosexism, their gender. Talk with and learn from LBGTIQ friends, biphobic, transphobic or homophobic Intersex: a person born with chromosomes, family, classmates and colleagues. jokes, assumptions or slurs. internal and/or external genitalia that is not considered typical for either male or female. Instead of assuming, ask about things you Provide correct information when you hear don’t understand. myths about LBGTIQ people. Queer: inclusive term for people who are not heterosexual, many younger people in the LBGTIQ Say the words gay, lesbian, bisexual, community have reclaimed this term. Risk discomfort and take risks to grow as a transgender and intersex out loud! person. Heterosexism: the concept that heterosexuality is natural, normal, superior and required. Get involved in your local LBGTIQ INCLUDE meetings, organizations and community Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia: thoughts, events. feelings or actions based on fear, dislike and When asking about someone’s relationship, judgment of LBGTIQ people. say “partner” instead of “husband” or Outing: disclosing someone’s sexual orientation “girlfriend.” or gender identity without their permission. Remember that there are people in your Closeted: when a person does not openly disclose jobs, classes, neighborhoods and throughout -Adapted from the Princeton University LGBT Center Website their sexual orientation or gender identity. your community who are LBGTIQ.