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Advocacy for People Who Are Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual
Things You Can Do
1. Get involved with political and social programs to fight homophobia, biphobia, and heterosexism on the institutional level.
2. Educate family, friends, and acquaintances by being Out and talking with about untruths and facts about Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual.
3. Do not try to fight perpetrators directly; you are misguiding your energy. Work to educate the people who may be listening to the perpetrators.
4. Help others who you know are Coming Out to make that transition. Be there to listen, help them with referrals, and do not abandon them.
5. Read!! Better inform yourself. There are books on Coming Out, being Out, History, Fiction, Politics, Culture, Community, Humor, etc.
6. Act as an advocate when you hear of incidences of homophobia, biphobia, and heterosexism. Report them!
7. Write letters. Write a letter to the editor of your student newspaper or your community newspaper explaining why hatred and discrimination are wrong. Write the President, the Governor, your state and federal legislators, your city council, and your mayor.
8. Volunteer your time. Get involved with local organizations through your church, the University, or the community.
9. Wear buttons, display bumper stickers, and distribute literature. This will show that you are Out and that you feel Pride.
10. Join activities. Participate in events, rallies, marches, and programs. There is power in numbers.
11. Discourage friends from telling defamatory jokes. Tell them why they are not funny and how they are hurtful to you and to others.
12. Address your own homophobia, biphobia, and heterosexism. Read, attend workshops, attend Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual events and functions, get counseling, etc.
13. Stand up for yourself and others and demand that people who are Gay, Lesbian, or bisexual deserve to be treated with Dignity and Respect.
14. Like yourself and be comfortable. It will be difficult to shake you if there is nothing uneasy within you to shake.
15. Schedule presentations in your organizations about People who are Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual here at your university and in your community.
This information is posted with the permission of its author: Barry A. Schreier, Ph.D.