I Need a Friend! Who Is (Would Be) Your Perfect LGBTQ Ally?

Summary

The website content discusses the need for strong LGBTQ allies in the face of rising anti-LGBTQ sentiment, as exemplified by the disruption of a vigil for Brianna Ghey, and invites writers to explore what makes an ideal ally through essays, poems, and stories.

Abstract

The article opens with a distressing account of young men disrupting a vigil in Birmingham, England, for Brianna Ghey, a transgender teen who was stabbed to death. This incident underscores the increasing levels of bullying and violence faced by LGBTQ individuals, particularly youth. The piece emphasizes the importance of allies in the fight against such hatred, noting a perceived silence or regression among some who previously supported LGBTQ rights. It introduces a writing prompt from Prism & Pen editor Logan Silkwood, encouraging both individuals and institutions to consider and articulate what constitutes a great ally to the LGBTQ community. The prompt also welcomes perspectives on poor allyship and the changes needed to foster better support. The call to action is for submissions that share personal stories, thoughts, and experiences on LGBTQ allyship, with editorial support available for those who wish to contribute.

Opinions

The author expresses concern that anti-queer hatred is infecting younger generations, influenced by the rhetoric of politicians and adults.
There is a sense of dismay at the apparent growing quietude or active hostility from some previous supporters and allies of the LGBTQ community.
The article suggests that LGBTQ kids in schools face sharply rising levels of bullying and physical violence, with the case of Brianna Ghey cited as an example where school peers and teachers failed to act as allies.
The editor of Prism & Pen, Logan Silkwood, is optimistic about the role of allies and has proposed a writing prompt to explore and highlight the qualities of great allies, as well as the shortcomings of poor allyship.
The piece encourages a broad range of contributions, including from LGBTQ-supportive friends, family, and loved ones, to share their thoughts on being effective allies during challenging times.
The importance of institutional allies is also acknowledged, with a call for stories about both individual and systemic allyship.

Wow, did my morning ever start off troubling!

Just as I woke up, I saw news about young men disrupting a Birmingham, England vigil for Brianna Ghey, the transgender teen stabbed to death last week in broad daylight. LGBTQ people in the UK have been turning out in big numbers to express their love and support for the 16-year-old’s family, and to raise awareness about how fearful queer people are today in the face of swelling anti-LGBTQ backlash.

At the Birmingham vigil, a group of people (described variously as boys, young men, and/or thugs) in balaclavas, face masks, and hats showed up shouting homophobic/transphobic abuse like “Fuck LGBT” and “Fuck transgender.”

When I say troubling, I mean I feel so struck (stricken?) that young people did this, that anti-queer hatred, which politicians and other adults foment, is reaching down to infect even the youngest generation. I see it happening in the U.S. and the U.K. — in a regressive wave nobody expected even a couple years ago.

I’ve written quite a lot about how LGBTQ kids in school face sharply rising levels of bullying and physical violence. And while we LGBTQ people don’t know why two 15-year-olds stabbed Brianna Ghey to death, we know she faced serious school bullying for being trans. We know her peers and some of her teachers felt perfectly fine taunting her for being transgender — and that apparently nobody stopped them. No ally stopped them.

We know such sentiment is rising, and we wonder if our allies are tired of fighting with us for the basic dignity and respect we deserve. We see troubling signs that may be the case.

It’s hard seeing waves of hatred swell only to watch our allies grow simultaneously more quiet. (Or even actively hostile, as in the case of the New York Times amplifying the voices of those who hate us.)

I Need a Friend! Who Is (Would Be) Your Perfect LGBTQ Ally?

That’s our Prism & Pen writing prompt for the next two weeks. Prism & Pen editor Logan Silkwood suggested the prompt a couple weeks ago, and I want to open up the idea a bit.

Sure, let’s write about people. As far as individuals go, what makes a great ally? That’s important!

But let’s write about groups and systems too. In these days of increasing backlash and violence, how can institutions become better allies?

Or, if you want, turn things on their head. What makes people and groups poor allies? What practices would you like to see change or stop?

Allies invited too! If you write for P&P because you’re an LGBTQ-supportive friend, family member or loved one, what are your thoughts on being a good ally in these troubling days?

Whatever your take, we invite you to share YOUR stories, thoughts, dreams, or fears. We’re asking for YOUR experiences and ideas.

It’s time to write!

Quills out, editorial support available! Even if you don’t think of yourself as a writer, P&P editors can help you make your story look sharp and professional. Your voice is what matters, not your skill level.

Also, you don’t have to submit stories to P&P based on our prompts. You can submit stories about anything in the LGBTQ universe, whenever you like. Please do!

I Need a Friend! Who Is (Would Be) Your Perfect LGBTQ Ally?

A Prism & Pen writers prompt

Wow, did my morning ever start off troubling!

I Need a Friend! Who Is (Would Be) Your Perfect LGBTQ Ally?

It’s time to write!

You tell your stories, we’ll help you share them.

Submission Guidelines

undefined

Stories so far

Calling all LGBTQ Allies/Friends: Please Wear a Pin For Us? It’s Time!

Time for the silent majority to speak up in daily public solidarity