LGBTQ+ Allyship

Awareness & Understanding

Start by exploring what it means to be an LGBTQ+ ally in your own community. Watch the "Being an Ally" playlist on the PFLAG YouTube channel and browse pflag.org to learn the basics of identity, pronouns, and why allyship matters. Read the Human Rights Campaign's free "Glossary of Terms" at hrc.org — it's clear and detailed. Notice how LGBTQ+ people in Salt Lake City are represented in local news like the Salt Lake Tribune and in community spaces. Write down three things you didn't know before. You're ready for the next step when you can explain in your own words what allyship means and name at least three gender or sexuality terms you've learned.

Research & Investigation

Dig into what LGBTQ+ life looks like specifically in Utah. Visit the Utah Pride Center's website (utahpridecenter.org) and read about their programs, history, and the communities they serve. Look up r/SaltLakeCity and r/lgbt on Reddit to see real conversations about local experiences. Search YouTube for "LGBTQ Utah history" to find documentaries and community stories. Check out Equality Utah (equalityutah.org) to learn about current policy issues affecting LGBTQ+ Utahns. Keep a simple notes doc as you go. You're ready for the next step when you can describe two specific challenges LGBTQ+ people face in Utah and name two organizations working to help.

Planning & Preparation

Get ready to show up as an ally by choosing one concrete action you'll take. Decide: will you attend a Utah Pride Center event, join a GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance) meeting, or volunteer for a local LGBTQ+ organization? Visit utahpridecenter.org/events to find something coming up. Practice using inclusive language — download the free "Gender Neutral Pronouns" guide from glsen.org. Write a short personal statement (3–5 sentences) about why allyship matters to you. Tell one trusted friend or family member about your plan. You're ready for the next step when you have a specific event or action on your calendar and your personal statement written down.

Taking Action

Show up and do the thing you planned. Attend an event, volunteer shift, or meeting you scheduled. If you're at a Utah Pride Center event, introduce yourself and listen more than you talk — your job is to support, not to center yourself. If you're volunteering, follow the lead of LGBTQ+ staff and participants. After the experience, write a reflection: What surprised you? What did you learn? What would you do differently? Share your reflection with your SLCTrips community. You're ready for the next step when you've completed at least one in-person allyship action and written a reflection of 100+ words.

Leadership & Expansion

Level up by helping others understand allyship. Create a simple resource — a one-page guide, a social post, or a short video — that explains what you've learned about LGBTQ+ allyship in Utah. Use Canva (canva.com, free) to design something visual. Share it in a space where it can reach people who haven't thought much about this topic: a school group, neighborhood newsletter, or social media. Reach out to Equality Utah or the Utah Pride Center to ask about volunteer leadership roles or ambassador programs. You're ready for the next step when you've shared your resource with at least 10 people and can describe how they responded.

Impact & Reflection

Look back at your full allyship journey and measure your impact. Compare what you knew at the start to what you know now. Write a 200-word reflection: How have your actions made a difference, even in small ways? What will you keep doing? What's one thing you want to learn next? Post your reflection or a summary to r/SaltLakeCity or share with the Utah Pride Center — your story can inspire others. Set a personal commitment for the next six months of continued allyship. You're ready for the next step when you've written your reflection and shared a commitment to at least one ongoing allyship action.