Monday 24-06-2024 - 13:47

Educational Resources for Allies

An "ally" is a supporter and/or advocate for LGBTQ+ people. It is most used to refer to heterosexual people (a "straight ally") who support their lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and queer friends and family members. The term also encompasses LGBTQ+ people who support each other.

Recommended Readings

Our list of books, articles, and websites can help deepen your understanding. The Library also has an LGBTQ+ Reading List.

Book	About
This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson	A comprehensive young adult non-fiction book on sexuality and gender.
The Savvy Ally: A Guide for Becoming a Skilled LGBTQ+ Advocate by Jeannie Gainsburg	A book that sheds light on the deeper layers of homophobia and how to address them.
The Gay Revolution: The Story of the Struggle by Lillian Faderman	A comprehensive history of the struggle for gay and lesbian rights.
Queer Intentions: A (Personal) Journey Through LGBTQ+ Culture by Amelia Abraham	A journalistic exploration of what it means to be queer right now.
Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin	A book that takes an honest look at the life, love, and struggles of transgender teens.
Stuck in the Middle with You: A Memoir of Parenting in Three Genders by Jennifer Finney Boylan	A memoir about gender and parenting from both sides of the gender divide.
Queer: A Graphic History by Meg-John Barker and Jules Scheele	A non-fiction graphic novel that illuminates the histories of queer thought and LGBTQ+ action.
Excluded: Making Feminist and Queer Movements More Inclusive by Julia Serano	A book that challenges divisions within feminist and queer communities.

Films

Film	About
Paris Is Burning (1991)	A documentary that explores New York City's ballroom scene and its impact on LGBTQ+ culture.
Late Bloomers (1996)	A romantic film about two middle-aged women who fall in love, challenging their small Texas town.
But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)	A comedy about a high school cheerleader sent to a gay conversion camp where she finds love.
Brokeback Mountain (2005)	A drama that follows the tragic love story of two cowboys over several decades.
Jennifer’s Body (2009)	A horror-comedy that has become a sapphic cult classic exploring female friendship and sexuality.
Pariah (2011)	A drama about a 17-year-old girl exploring her sexual identity and facing family dynamics.
The Way He Looks (2014)	A Brazilian romance that follows two teenagers, one of whom is blind, as they discover first love.
Tangerine (2015)	A comedy-drama about a trans sex worker searching for her cheating boyfriend.
Moonlight (2016)	An Oscar-winning drama that explores the life of a young black man grappling with his sexuality.
Disclosure: Trans Lives On Screen (2020)	A documentary that explores the representation of transgender people in Hollywood.
Beautiful Thing (1996)	Teen boys discover love in a London suburb and find acceptance.
My Beautiful Laundrette (1985)	British-Pakistani man revives laundrette, explores love and race.

Podcasts

Podcast	About
Latinos Who Lunch	Focuses on the intersectionality between queer culture and the Latinx community.
Queer Sex Ed	Open, honest conversations about queer safe sex and relationship issues.
Outward	A Slate Magazine podcast that focuses on queer culture and news.
The Two Princes	A fiction podcast that tells the story of two gay princes.
Hoodrat to Headwrap	Discusses race, gender, and queer black love.
The Gender Rebels Podcast	A Q&A podcast surrounding trans and gender nonconforming topics.
Horror Queers	Focuses on horror and thriller movies with LGBTQI+ themes.
Outsports Podcast	An LGBTQI+ sports podcast that talks about representation in sports.
Ace Audio Archive	A podcast about asexuality, aromanticism, and the spectrum of ace identities.

Further Resources

Service	About
PFLAG	PFLAG offers support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ families.
Bi 101	Bi.org provides resources, articles, and community support focused on bisexuality.
My Kid is Gay	My Kid is Gay offers resources and articles to help families understand and support their LGBTQ kids.
FFLAG	A charity dedicated to supporting parents and their lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans sons and daughters.
GLAAD	GLAAD advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and shapes media narratives for acceptance.
Human Rights Campaign	HRC fights for LGBTQ+ equality through advocacy, education, and mobilization.
National Centre for Lesbian Rights	NCLR advances LGBTQ+ rights through litigation, policy, and education.
National LGBTQ Task Force	The Task Force works for LGBTQ+ freedom, justice, and equity through targeted initiatives.
Gendered Intelligence	Gendered Intelligence educates on gender diversity to improve trans lives.
Switchboard	Switchboard offers confidential LGBTQ+ helpline and email support.
Hidayah	Aims to provide support and welfare for LGBTQI+ Muslims.
IMMAN	Imaan London supports LGBTQ+ Muslims through community events and advocacy.
London Friend	London Friend offers LGBTQ+ mental health support, social groups, and counselling.
LGBT Foundation	LGBT Foundation offers advice, support, and info for LGBTQ+ communities.
RU Coming Out	RU Coming Out shares real-life coming out stories for LGBTQ+ support.
Stonewall	Stonewall advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and offers resources for inclusion.

Legal Support Service

Service	About
Lambda Legal	Lambda Legal fights for LGBTQ+ and HIV+ civil rights through legal action.
Rainbow Migration	Provides free confidential legal advice to LGBTQI+ asylum seekers.
LGBT Lawyers	Offers judgment-free legal advice for the LGBT community.

Sexual Health Service

Service	About
LGBTQ+ Safer Sex Guide	Healthline's guide offers comprehensive LGBTQIA+ safe sex education.
National Coalition for Sexual Health	NCSH Guide offers preventive sexual health services and education for all.
Brook	Provides sexual health info and support for young people.
Terrence Higgins Trust	Support for LGBT+ people focused on sexual health.

Handy Resources Available for Download

Resource	Link
Five Simple Ways to Better Mental Health	5 Ways PDF
Healthy Heads and Hearts: Difference is Normal	Layout 1
5 Ways to Manage Gender Dysphoria	5 Ways Dysphoria PDF
Mindfulness Colouring Book	Mindfulness Colouring Book
Sex and Relationships Guide for Lesbian and Bisexual Women	Sex and Relationships Guide
Switchboard’s Emotional Wellbeing Support Pack	Emotional Wellbeing Support Pack
FFLAG How do I Tell My Parents?	FFLAG PDF
London LGBTQ Resources	Redbridge Rainbow Community
It Gets Better Project	It Gets Better Project
Gender Diversity Crash Course: Trans 101	Trans 101 PDF

Please reach out if you would like to add any resources you find helpful, or if you would like to get involved with any EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) events!

I hope this resource helps to give voice to your experiences, or helps you to learn more about other people's experience to be an active ally in the community.

Best wishes, 

Huma Hasan

Co-President (2023-2024)