Ally is a Verb
Cishet people: Center queer and trans folks, not yourselves.
Given the higher visibility of discrimination and violence against queer and trans people in today’s social media-driven world, it’s important for cishet (cisgender heterosexual) allies to use their privileges to call for an end to this oppression. Progressives are getting the message that being an ally requires more than simply refraining from attacking or condemning queer people. But many well-meaning cishet folks are still centering themselves and their needs in a struggle that is, ultimately, not about them.
Ally is a verb, not a self-granted title. To ally with queer and trans people is to take action for our benefit, not yours. Being an ally should not be seen as an identity worthy of inclusion in the LGBT+ acronym. Allies are part of the dominant cishet majority, and by sheer numbers will likely always be so; there is no need for them to have a special status label for taking actions to improve the lives of the oppressed.
Nor do allies need their own Pride flag or symbol. There’s nothing wrong with having pride in your work, but Pride in the LGBTQ context is about surviving, thriving, and living authentically despite centuries of targeted discrimination, harassment, and violence. Cishet people might get some splash damage when they are mistaken for one of us…
