Allies and Advocates
As a licensed independent social worker, I am committed to ongoing professional development through continuing education classes. Attending healthcare conferences is one meaningful way to fulfill this requirement. Alejandro Varela served as the keynote speaker at the 2024 Equitas Health Institute Transforming Care conference.
He spoke about the importance of advocating for one another and being supportive allies, even when we may not share the same experiences. It can be incredibly impactful when young people advocate for the dignity and respect of older generations. This principle also applies to supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
Taken from the National Association of Social Workers website: “People who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or gender expansive, queer and/or questioning, intersex, asexual, and two-spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) are members of every community, and contribute significantly to society every day.”
While June’s visibility efforts are appreciated and certainly better than nothing, there is a lot of frustration with “rainbow capitalism”, the disingenuous effort to tap into the purchasing power of LGBTQ+ consumers. Here’s how to show support all year round:
-Educate yourself on relevant issues and share this knowledge with others. Learn about the importance of using correct gender pronouns (such as she/her, he/him, they/them) and consider adding your pronouns to your email signature or when you introduce yourself.
-It’s worth noting that many languages and cultures have used gender-neutral pronouns for generations; Examples can be found in historical texts as far back as the King James Bible and works by Shakespeare.
-Get involved with local organizations that support the community by volunteering or donating. It is free to spread the word if someone else’s work resonates with you.
-Start conversations that promote understanding and openness—discussing what parts of your identity are important to you can foster connection and empathy. We often have more in common than we realize!
Remember, being an ally isn’t just about holding a belief—it’s about taking action consistently. It’s the thought that counts and a little goes a long way.
