YOU BELONG HERE

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Office of the Center for the Recognition of Human Dignity, Monterrey Campus

We are diverse, we are part of a community, and we can be the possibility of another being, to sustain a more just, safe, and inclusive society, where everyone around us feels recognized, valued, respected, and secure. In this month of pride, we invite you to think of yourself as an “ally.” (In Spanish, the term is “aliadx,” a gender neutral word that does not distinguish between male and female.) And if you already are an ally, we invite you to continue your accompaniment.

Being an ally in Mexico means being the voice that creates a space of trust, fostering a diverse society that enriches us.

It is crucial to combat the trend reported by the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) in Mexico in 2022 that “six out of ten Mexicans in the LGBTIQA+ community have suffered some type of discrimination, and more than half have been victims of hatred, physical aggression, and harassment.” For this reason, we emphasize the critical importance of allies working to build the society in which we are part.

An ally’s function includes demanding that all public and private spaces guarantee the human rights of all people. As trainers in universities, we choose to provide dignified and responsible accompaniment to those who, through their experience and voice, create new ways to rethink our society. On this path, we have learned that co-responsibility marks this accompaniment.

Affirmative action must be created and implemented with policies and regulations that promote equality and inclusion in all aspects of our community.

Being an ally also means raising our voices about the injustices and violence faced by LGBTIQA+ people. The most frequent are misinformation, prejudice, social rejection, lack of resources, resistance, fear of criticism, and intersectionalities of abuses. All these negatively impact the construction of a more just and responsible community.

Some affirmative actions that we have implemented as allies and that you can replicate are:

Support our trans community by calling them by their chosen names.
Designate a neutral bathroom in buildings for events, classes, or celebrations.
Use inclusive language in social media, academic papers, classes, and other communications.
Make visible in public or private spaces the problems that LGBTIQA+ people experience.
Disapprove of the complicity surrounding an LGBTIQA+ phobic comment or action when it occurs.
Promote spaces for dialogue that educate on issues related to LGBTIQA+ people

Therefore, we share the best practices of an ally:

Rethink our privileges: Each person has had to deal with a situation of violation, certainly. Remember that your reality differs from others’ and vice versa. The fact that you have not experienced some oppression does not mean that there are not different types of discrimination in other realities. To be an ally is to recognize that a privilege can open doors, create opportunities, and spark meaningful conversations.

Analyze the context: Social norms and rules are not written in stone; each struggle has been different. Therefore, when we place ourselves in another context, we can always address this issue respectfully, informatively, and effectively, thereby avoiding detracting from the emotions or feelings the violations may evoke in others. This is part of awareness, recognizing and valuing that experiences are unique to each person, in different places and times, and that values and beliefs influence the perceptions of historically vulnerable groups. Being an ally also implies improving communication to strengthen support and security.

Name what exists: Many acts of violence or discrimination go unspoken; we often fail to acknowledge or make them visible. An essential action of allies is to provide evidence in the community that discrimination exists and promote spaces for listening and dialogue. Speak about and name LGBTIQA+ people to give them presence, encourage their participation in decision-making, and generate their occupancy of legitimate spaces.

Maintain flexibility in our thinking: We are the sum of multiple factors that have influenced our being. Unfortunately, we are changing beings from the imposition of dichotomies (good/bad, feminine/masculine, white/black). Being an ally implies being respectful and flexible, learning as we go, listening consciously, and changing what needs to be changed when someone’s dignity is violated.

Recognize our biases: Our beliefs and values may have led us to assume certain facts, actions, or ways of being that a particular group of people must have. These generate reactions, from gestures or sayings to decision-making. Therefore, it is imperative to reflect on those beliefs and values, looking for some internal signs. For example, when interacting with others, pay attention to how you react. If you feel uncomfortable or annoyed in front of certain groups or tend to dismiss ideas different from your own, remember that you can make mistakes. However, if you can recognize this pattern and determine to make a change, you will already be taking a first step.

Work on our prejudices: Everyone has prejudices; to some degree, they help us to perceive reality generally. However, they can become dangerous when we translate them into discriminatory treatment against a person or group, so identifying and acknowledging them in ourselves is a significant step forward. We must ensure that our prejudices do not influence our behavior, particularly if they alienate, hinder, discriminate against, or denigrate someone.

Take Action: Informing ourselves, educating ourselves, and actively listening are three fundamentals on the path to becoming an ally. LGBTIQA+ people are experts in their experience, and it is valid to ask questions respectfully and exercise careful listening. However, they are not an encyclopedia with an obligation to educate us. We can turn to the internet as a self-managed learning resource and develop an understanding of how the world sees us, treats us, and what our reality is.

Rome was not built in a day: It’s a process, so be patient. Calling yourself an ally is very easy; however, to act consistently under that “label” means a willingness to support the rights of LGBTIQA+ people and defend them against discrimination. Put the brakes on LGBTIQA+ phobic comments and jokes, which are a form of violence. You must let your family, friends, and colleagues know that these violate and offend LGBTIQA+ people. As an ally, your support must be consistent, open, and serve as an example to others.

Being an ally is also a process that invites reflection, rethinking, and continuous self-education. Therefore, we invite you to utilize the following self-management tools (in Spanish) to expand your knowledge and create safe spaces and conversations that foster alliances.