#1. Educate yourself without asking the LGBTQIA+ community. First of all, it is not their job to educate others, and secondly, more times than not, asking may cause them to relive their trauma. There are plenty of resources to research; here are some:

GLSEN: http://www.glsen.org

The Trevor Project: www.thetrevorproject.org

GLAAD: https://glaad.org/

ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/documents/rights-lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-people

#2. Use your privilege for good. First, recognize your privilege; that should be your first work on awareness. It's difficult to understand the realities of discrimination without experiencing them first-hand. And for many, acknowledging our societal advantages (privileged) can be a challenge that often leads to an aha moment. ~Oprah Winfrey

“Recognize that you’re not responsible for building the system. But you are responsible for what you do with that knowledge, how you move on from there, and what you do with your privilege,” says Brooklyn-based licensed therapist Amelia Yankey, LCSW, who works with members of the LGBTQ community suffering from trauma.

#3. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. You will make mistakes when becoming more knowledgeable and aware of the LGBTQIA+ community. The mistake is not the issue; it is how you respond to your mistake. Simply apologize and say, "I'll do better." Then move on. Making a drama out of an apology is making the situation worse, more awkward, and unnecessary.

#4 Do more than show support on social media. When you start to become active with your support for the LGBTQIA+ community, Maybe Burke suggests you "de-center yourself from the work. Use your platforms to speak about issues but also amplify the voices of those less heard." Then, be sure to get involved and actively show your support. Find local organizations to volunteer your time with and donate to. Here are some organizations you can work with:

Gender & Sexuality Alliance: https://gsanetwork.org/

GLSEN: http://www.glsen.org

The Ali Forney Center: https://www.aliforneycenter.org/

The Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Immigration Equality: https://immigrationequality.org/

The Silvia Rivera Law Project: https://srlp.org/

SAGE: https://www.sageusa.org/

5# Speak up for the underrepresented. The best way to encourage allyship is to start a conversation. If you hear or see something that's damaging to the LGBTQ community, gently point out the problem and use it as a teachable moment. “There is a point in advocacy where you need the people who hold the privilege to start the conversation because otherwise they [marginalized communities] don’t get heard," Burke says. As people who hold positions of privilege, it’s up to us to advocate for those whose voices are shut down. ~Maybe Burke, an award-winning artist, and educator, telling the stories that haven't been told.

Four ways to advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community:

• Correct people if they misgender someone, even if that someone isn't in the room.
• Speak up when a person uses slurs or insensitive and racially-charged language.
• Promote diversity in the workplace. Update your email signature to include pronouns.
• Show your support by wearing a Pride pin or posting a flag.

#6. Understand that "Pride Month" isn't all about a party or fun times, rainbows, and parades. Pride is commemorative of the plight of the LGBTQIA+ community, to remember Marsha Johnson, Sylvia, Rivera, Stonewall Inn and its riots, Harvey Milk, and all others who have suffered while being a voice for the community. It is about standing up against the basic human rights that are being stripped from this community. Here is the history: https://www.loc.gov/ghe/cascade/index.html?appid=90dcc35abb714a24914c68c9654adb67

Much of this article's information is derived from Oprah Daily, https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/relationships-love/a28159555/how-to-be-lgbtq-ally/