Safe Zone

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Safe Zone Program fosters a supportive environment for LGBTQQIA members of the campus community by providing education, resources and advocacy regarding gender and sexual diversities.

How to be an Ally

• Ally is a verb - Stop thinking of "ally" as a noun or a destination to reach. It is a constant process you must engage in and do the work
• Being an ally is about listening - As someone striving to be an ally, the most important thing we can do is listen to as many voices of those we’re allying ourselves with as possible. 
• Ally is not a self-proclaimed identity - We cannot decide we are allies. Being in solidarity is something we can strive for, but in the end, it is the choice of those we are attempting to ally ourselves to as to whether they trust us enough to call us an ally. Additionally, just because one person considers me an ally, that does not mean that every person of that marginalized identity considers me an ally or should!
• Allies educate themselves constantly - We need to educate ourselves about the issues facing those with whom we want to be allied and about the history of said oppression. What you should not do, though, is expect those with whom you want to ally yourself to teach you.
• Allies don't need to be in the spotlight - True solidarity means supporting the work of those you’re allying yourself to, not solely creating a platform for your own voice and work. There are times when you can use that spotlight to talk to people who share your identity, but whenever possible, allies turn that spotlight away from themselves and to the voices that are so often marginalized and ignored.
• When criticized or called out, allies listen, apologize, act accountably, and act differently going forward - When you screw up and damage trust and hurt and anger those you have allied yourself to, listening is important, but it’s not enough. Apologizing earnestly is important, but it’s not enough. Working hard to make sure you are accountable to those you’ve wronged is important, but it’s not enough. In addition to all of these, you have a responsibility to learn from the mistakes you’ve made and to do better going forward.

Adapted from Everyday Feminism, "So You Call Yourself an Ally: 10 things All 'Allies' Need to Know", https://everydayfeminism.com/2013/11/things-allies-need-to-know/