BigBassFox Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 I've heard some people say the A in LGBTQIA+ also stands for ally, along with asexual, aromantic, and agender, so I wanted to ask those who are also in the community. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Bio 7 Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 I don’t consider it being for asexual, we’re our own community. As for ally, not sure. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Oberon Jasper Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 A lot of sexualities and genders fall under A so I'm really indifferent. It can stand for abro, agender, etc. A stands for whatever A letters fall under the LGBTQ+ community. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
a little annihilation Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 I put neutral, but no. Being an ally does not make you queer just the same as supporting any other group does not make one a part of it. 4 Link to post Share on other sites
Artemis42 Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 There’s a historical reason for the A being ally (a way for closeted or questioning people to be part of the community without outing themselves), but I honestly don’t know if that’s very necessary now, or if people even identify as allies as a safe way to join the community anymore. In my experience I mostly see people say “the A is for allies!” to dismiss and exclude aces and aros, so I’m less inclined to consider it, I guess? I think the way I view it is that cisgender heteroromantic heterosexual allies are allies (which is wonderful), but they’re not “members” of the community per se. So it makes more sense for the A to be for ace/aro-spec and agender people. 5 Link to post Share on other sites
Mandragora Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 Allies are great and imo they're welcome basically everywhere within the community...But no, they're not part of it the way queer people are. 4 Link to post Share on other sites
SithLord Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 While I think allies belong in the community, I don't think they're represented by a letter. I think the A should stand for asexual, aromantic, or agender. 4 Link to post Share on other sites
Leaf069 Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 Even before i figired out i was ace, i never thought a was for ally, coming from an ally (cis, straight) Edit: driving your kid to school doesn't mean you are on the pta 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Captain_Tass Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 I put neutral. The "A is for ally" is a product of a time when it was truly controversial and frowned upon to be an ally of the LGBT+ community. Allies would put their reputation on the line when they expressed their support. Many closeted queer people would self-identify as allies, so that they could show their support for their community without outing themselves and literally putting their lives on the line, because they'd rather risk their reputation than their lives. I strongly believe that the stories of closeted queer people, who may not have lived long enough to be able to come out as anything other than an ally, shouldn't be forgotten. I also believe that the cishet people who stood by us when that would cause them to be ostracized by the rest of society shouldn't be forgotten. This is why the A standing for ally is a thing. To remind us of our history. However, cishet allies aren't queer themselves. And if they are true allies, they will accept that not all spaces/events are for them because of that reason. They can hang out in the acronym all they like, but if they start talking over us by using their place in the acronym as a justification, I will strongly question their allyship (and thus their place in the acronym). 7 Link to post Share on other sites
Sherlocks Posted September 1, 2021 Share Posted September 1, 2021 2 hours ago, BigBassFox said: I've heard some people say the A in LGBTQIA+ also stands for ally, along with asexual, aromantic, and agender, so I wanted to ask those who are also in the community. Now you have me questioning everything. I thought A was asexuals... Do we give Allies thier own letter? I know they have thier own flag Link to post Share on other sites
CostaRicanAce Posted September 1, 2021 Share Posted September 1, 2021 NO NO NO!!! Allies are great and we love them, they just aren't apart of the community. A is for Ace, Aro , Agen, Abro, etc. They aren't queer, so they aren't in the community but we still love our allies. Link to post Share on other sites
TheCrow Posted September 1, 2021 Share Posted September 1, 2021 I don't think allies should be part of the LGBT+ acronym. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate allies, and I think they're important. But if you're cis/het/allo there are certain experiences that no matter how sympathetic you are, you cannot fully understand. White people should not say they're part of the Black community because they support the Black community. I feel like this is very similar. Link to post Share on other sites
Virelai Posted September 1, 2021 Share Posted September 1, 2021 There is absolutely no reason for an ally to be considered part of the community itself. Allies are cisgender and heterosexual. It makes no sense for them to be a part of a community that they, well, aren't a part of. lol Link to post Share on other sites
A User Posted September 1, 2021 Share Posted September 1, 2021 it can be asexual, agender, ally, etc. as long as it's starts with an A lol 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted September 1, 2021 Share Posted September 1, 2021 I don't really see why straight allies should be included in the acronym, but I also don't particularly care, so 'neutral'. Link to post Share on other sites
Zagadka Posted September 1, 2021 Share Posted September 1, 2021 One of the reasons I really prefer GSRM. Endlessly debating what acronym means what and is included is tiring. "Gender, sexual, and romantic minorities" includes everyone it means to without judging labels or who belongs. Specifically, on one hand, no, and on the other, I really don't care, and I won't be policing people. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
GingerRose Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 On 8/31/2021 at 5:34 PM, BigBassFox said: I've heard some people say the A in LGBTQIA+ also stands for ally, along with asexual, aromantic, and agender, so I wanted to ask those who are also in the community. It can. I just use GSRM, as do other people. It refers to gender, sexual, or romantic minorities. It encompasses more people so there aren't just picking and choosing of which identities are supported in pride. When I was younger there were not many identities so there were only a few letters needed...now it's obviously changed. Link to post Share on other sites
GingerRose Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 On 9/1/2021 at 9:40 AM, A User said: it can be asexual, agender, ally, etc. as long as it's starts with an A lol Acrobat, astronaut, acupuncturist... 1 Link to post Share on other sites
everywhere and nowhere Posted September 3, 2021 Share Posted September 3, 2021 For me it makes more sense if it doesn't. There are lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender people, asexuals... and there are allies, as an outside group - people who aren't LGBT+, but support their goals. Link to post Share on other sites
aneczyk Posted September 7, 2021 Share Posted September 7, 2021 On 8/31/2021 at 7:52 PM, Life Of Tass said: I put neutral. The "A is for ally" is a product of a time when it was truly controversial and frowned upon to be an ally of the LGBT+ community. Allies would put their reputation on the line when they expressed their support. Many closeted queer people would self-identify as allies, so that they could show their support for their community without outing themselves and literally putting their lives on the line, because they'd rather risk their reputation than their lives. I strongly believe that the stories of closeted queer people, who may not have lived long enough to be able to come out as anything other than an ally, shouldn't be forgotten. I also believe that the cishet people who stood by us when that would cause them to be ostracized by the rest of society shouldn't be forgotten. This is why the A standing for ally is a thing. To remind us of our history. However, cishet allies aren't queer themselves. And if they are true allies, they will accept that not all spaces/events are for them because of that reason. They can hang out in the acronym all they like, but if they start talking over us by using their place in the acronym as a justification, I will strongly question their allyship (and thus their place in the acronym). Also a lot of people will call themselves allies as a way to protect themselves when they're closeted so people don't get suspicious when like a kid is joining their school's GSA or someone is photographed at Pride or so people can wear pride related things (rainbow pins, for example) or hang out with their LGBT friends more openly without arousing suspicion. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Jordan... Posted September 7, 2021 Share Posted September 7, 2021 I would say no. Whilst it is nice for allies to support the LGBT+ community, they are not directly a part of it. If someone calls themselves as an ally to hide their sexuality and/or gender from people around them, that's fine - keep safe!, but they are not an ally at heart. they are gay/asexual/transgender/etc. THAT is what puts them in the LGBT+ community. Anyone who is cisgendered, heterosexual, and heteroromantic shouldn't be included in the LGBT+ label. They can support it, but they are freely able to go anywhere in the world and love who they want to love, wear what they want to wear, and know they won't be arrested/killed for doing these things. Link to post Share on other sites
iff Posted September 3, 2022 Share Posted September 3, 2022 @BigBassFox This poll is being locked and moved to the read only Census archive for it's respective year. As part of ongoing Census organisation, and in an attempt to keep the demographics of the polls current with the active user base at the time, the polls will last for one year from now on. However, members are allowed and even encouraged to restart new polls similar to the archived ones if they like them. iff, Census Forum Moderator Link to post Share on other sites
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