In the LGBT community, an ally is someone who does not identify as a member of the community but supports its members and is aware of struggles they face. This week is dedicated to those allies.
The annual Ally Awareness Week began Monday with the “Take a Stand” banner in the Union lobby. This is the stand part of the theme for the week being “Stand. Speak. Act.,” said Mary Hatch, a senior in social work at Salt Lake Community College who is interning for the U’s LGBT Resource Center. People can write their names on the banner and what they do to take a stand against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender bullying.
Hatch said allies play a vital role in tackling LGBT issues because the LGBT community needs support from all sides. That is why there are a variety of activities with different focuses this week.
Erin Davies, a national LGBT activist, will speak today about her documentary “Fagbug” in the Union Theatre. There will be a discussion on what it means to be an ally Wednesday and safe-zone training on Thursday.

By pledging, allies promise to intervene safely when other students are being harassed, to not use anti-LGBT slurs or language, to support ending bullying and to never assume orientation. Hatch has seen people who claim to be allies who break some of these standards.
The banner will be available to sign in the Union all week, and Hatch is hopeful that by signing, people will be more accountable for their pledge and stand up against bullying when possible.
“It’s important to have a visual, to have something to remind you,” she said. “We want LGBT members to know there are people who care and don’t discriminate.”
Taylor Johns, a freshman in international studies and gender studies, signed to show her concern.
“If someone needs love and support, it is in your hands to help,” she said. “You should take advantage of the daily opportunities and small moments to support others.”
She said allies can choose what in level of participation they engage. Although not everyone will march in a protest, anyone can be an ally if they have the intent and desire. A spectrum of abilities and interests is what students such as Valerie Velarde, a junior in psychology and gender studies and safe zone coordinator for the LGBT Resource Center, want to see.
“There is work for everyone to be done,” Velarde said. “It is everyone’s problem.”
While she thinks the U is doing well with structural support, the social prejudices are still strong. Hatch agrees but is worried the banner might be defaced if it is left out without supervision. Still, she is hopeful with recent nationwide progress. LGBT issues are being discussed in the Supreme Court, and studies are being done on the effects of family support, she said.
“It’s not like we expect people to always have a rainbow flag flying for everyone to see,” Hatch said. “Just participate this week or pledge silence on Friday.”
Ally Awareness Week closes with the national day of silence for remembering the silenced voices of LGBT members. There will be a drag show at the Historic Murray Theater on Friday. The Office for Equity and Diversity and LGBT Resource Center helped fund the events this week.