Ally Tips from STEP, RGV Trans Closet, and Pansy Pachanga
-Listen to queer and trans people: seek out diverse voices, even ones that don't agree with your preconceived notions about our community and even ones that do not agree with each other. Our community is not a monolith. Your lesbian tia or your gay hairdresser don't represent or speak for the entire community. Challenge yourself to learn more about the beautiful diversity that makes up our community.
-Give us $: No, really. Queer and trans people are much more likely to experience employment discrimination, housing insecurity, barriers to accessing services, and other economic disparities. If you don't have to deal with these issues the way many in our community do- especially trans women of color- and you have extra money to spare, you can directly support the LGBTQ+ community in the Valley in so many ways. In the RGV we have a trans closet which provides free gender-affirming clothing and mutual aid to members of the trans community (@rgvtranscloset), a shelter for trans and nonbinary people experiencing homelessness or housing instability (Casa Kimberly), and a scholarship fund for LGBTQIA+ students run by @steprgv. All of these are primarily supported by donations and that is one huge way you can help (if you are able).
-Call out homophobia and transphobia: Even when we're not around, even when it's just a "joke," even when it's your close friends and family. We are constantly having our identities mocked, turned into jokes, made into political talking points, or used to prop up stereotypes. All of this contributes to our dehumanization. One "joke" or transphobic Facebook post doesn't happen in isolation- it's part of a larger system of oppression we constantly have to confront- and you can help us by speaking out when you see it happening.
-You can be an ally even within the community: If you are a gay man, your experiences are very different from a transgender woman. If you're a binary trans person, you may have your identity validated in ways nonbinary people don't. If you're a lesbian woman, you may not have to deal with biphobia or pan erasure. Learn about what other people in our community go through and speak out against discrimination when you see it. If you or your relationship easily pass for cis het, it doesn't make you any less queer but it does mean you might navigate the world differently. Don't use your identity as a shield to stop you from evolving.
Learn our history! It can be easy to forget why Pride is so important and how much our community has gone through if you're not familiar with the battles we've had to overcome. Read about two spirit people, Stonewall, STAR House, ACT UP, Los 41, and ballroom culture. In the Valley, we have a rich and diverse LGBTQ+ history going back centuries. Follow @pansypachanga to learn more about this incredible history
STRJ
How to be an Ally to the LGBTQ community during and outside of Pride month:
Reproductive healthcare is not only for cis women. Remember to use inclusive language when addressing reproductive health, rights, & justice. Using gender neutral language to refer to abortion, miscarriage, pregnancy, infertility, and parenting topics ensures that all people are included in the conversation about reproductive healthcare.
Make space for the LGBTQ perspective. As an Ally it is important to listen to the perspective of queer people and not assume or generalize the LGBTQ experience. Whether it’s in your workplace/community, friend group, or family it’s important to ask and listen to the perspective and experience of LGBTQ folks.
Stand up for queer people, at all times. A true ally doesn’t only support LGBTQ folks when they know a queer person is present. The Human Rights Campaign estimates about 20 million adults in the US identify as LGBT, this means that as an Ally it’s important to shut down derogatory conversations or bad jokes at the expense of the LGBTQ community. Often people who are not ready to be open about their sexuality will internalize the negative language used by anti-LGBTQ retoric. Having someone else stand up for the community may help LGBTQ people not feel alone.
Shop LGBTQ owned businesses. During Pride month and throughout the year Queer owned businesses need our support. Here are a few shops you should visit:
If you make a mistake, it can be fixed. For example if you accidentally use the wrong pronouns or identity for someone, don’t start listing your allyship experience. Listen, correct yourself, and move on.
Valley AIDS Council and Casa Orgullo
Local Resources
South Texas Equality Project identifies local resources, collaborates with RGV leadership/organizationsand identifies safe space events: https://www.steprgv.com/
RGV Pride: https://www.riograndevalleypride.org/
Valley AIDS Council provides free HIV/STI testing, provides nPEP/PrEP prevention programs and assistance with access to treatment & care: https://www.valleyaids.org/
Casa Orgullo an LGBTQIA+ youth resource center, host safe space activities, and partners with local organizations to provide resources for youth, their families, and friends. https://www.facebook.com/CasaOrgulloRGV/
National Resources
Trevor Project https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
PFLAG https://pflag.org/
Human Rights Campaign https://www.hrc.org/
Education on the importance of pronouns https://pronouns.org/what-and-why
Allyship
Get involved & support – attend events, attend activities, volunteer at community events, and participate in town halls.
Listen – hear out your friends, family, and community. Listen to their stories, their experiences, and their needs.
Education yourself & advocate– find resources in local area, attend workshops & conferences to better information yourself on needs/concerns/and how to help
LGBTQIA+ communities.
Respect Pronouns– always & use people first language
Support safe space environments - spaces are free of discrimination, criticism, harassment, or emotional harm
Touching Infinite
I want to start by saying every month is Pride Month at Touching Infinite. Book LGBTQIA+ artists! Do everything in your power to make sure they’re safe at your events, especially in a state like Texas with so many brainwashed fucks out there. Lastly, in regards to dance music, know your damn history. There are plenty of great documentaries on YouTube.
5 Simple Ways to Support the LGBTQIA+ Community
By TRUCHA
PRIDE is here, and we are proud to support the LGBTQIA+ Community in the Rio Grande Valley! Here are five easy ways that we can do to uplift, support, and protect our queer community.
Stand up for the LGBTQIA+ Community! This can be as simple as calling out homophobia and transphobia.
Respect people’s gender identities and chosen names.
Vote for people who actively fight for our LGBTQIA+ Community. Encourage others to do the same and keep track of legislative bills on EqualityTexas.org.
Donate to LGBTQIA+ causes and organizations.
Learn more about local LGBTQIA+ issues and history. Visit STEPRGV.com to learn more about RGV Pride events and programs.
HAPPY PRIDE 🏳️🌈
Under The Umbrella
Resources for the trans community: VAC (Gender affirming care)
TRLA- name/gender marker change , RgvTranscloset - clothing
Casa Kimberly - Housing for the underserved
Frontera Fund - Free Plan B
We're constantly working with the names mentioned above and refer individuals we encounter and are needing the extra help.
Entre with C and Andres
Andres
learn people's pronouns and learn their names. this can take time and messing up is normal, but the effort means more than you can imagine
queerness and identity are multifaceted and can look like a lot of different things, so when someone tells you who they are, accept that. if/when that changes, accept that too.
support queer artists
support queer small businesses (instead of corporations or megastores peddling rainbow crap)
support queer folks in public, at work, etc.
don't talk to cops
listen to Limp Wrist
C
Gender non-conforming and trans individuals have been a part of various cultures for centuries.
I think one of the best things we can do is normalizing 'pride allyship' beyond the designated month. Listen to the community and grow. It's a life, so, in this life, make it the motto. Support year around, always, and with intention. In my case, as a promoter, I don't want a queer or trans artist or community member to think twice when it comes to a booking or attending a show. I want them to feel what anyone feels, to feel safe, as anyone deserves, to not think twice. I also believe in showing, not telling. Though I do know that declarations of support can go a long way, I also feel simply showing- in my case, booking artists, listening, making everyone feel welcomed, can create a natural environment of inclusivity. I don't release statements or stand up on social media soapboxes to declare where I stand regarding allyship because I feel I show it. I feel most know it. And if ever someone in the community feels I can do better, I welcome it and listen, which is also key. Cuz at some point, someone checked me, and I needed it. So as allies, we have to always listen.
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