Ally Network

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Ally Network

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About the Ally Network

The UWS Ally Network is a University endorsed group of staff and students who are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful culture at UWS for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) community members.


Ally logo

What is an Ally?

An Ally is a volunteer (staff or student) from the UWS community who is committed to cultural change and who provides support to GBLTI community members at UWS.


UWS Allies :

  • can be identified by the display of an official Ally sticker or Ally button
  • provide a welcoming and confidential 'safe zone' for GLBTI staff and students
  • demonstrate leadership in the areas of respect and inclusion for GBLTI staff and students
  • practice respectful, accepting and non-homophobic language and behaviour that is in keeping with UWS policy work towards increasing the acceptance of diverse sexualities and genders
  • develop and promote a greater understanding of the GLBTI community
  • promote a community that includes and embraces diverse sexualities and gender
  • work to dismantle homophobia and heterosexism
  • commit to making positive changes within UWS and the wider community.

UWS Allies are not:

  •  experts on GLBTI issues
  •  necessarily from the GLBTI community.

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Why become a UWS Ally?

(Adopted from the Concordia University Q2 Ally Network (2004)

There are many reasons to become an Ally:

  • you could make a difference to your campus environment and the experience of GLBTI staff and students
  • you could make the campus a better place for everyone
  • you have the opportunity to interact with and learn from a community with which you may not otherwise interact
  • your work towards ending homophobia and heterosexism could help members of the GLBTI community develop stronger self-esteem and pride in who they are.

How do I become a UWS Ally?

In order to become a UWS Ally you need to complete a training session, organised by Equity and Diversity. The training session will cover the following topics:

  • reflection upon your own assumptions and understanding of GLBTI people
  • becoming familiar with the some of the issues faced by GLBTI staff and students such as sexual prejudice and 'coming out'
  • overview of the UWS Ally Network and what it means to become an Ally at UWS.

After the training session, you can nominate yourself to become an Ally, and we will provide you with UWS Ally stickers and Ally pin to identify you as an Ally. You may also find that you do not feel comfortable with the role of Ally and decide not become one.

The Ally Network communicates via email and meets four times a year to discuss issues, organise events, and participate in training. We also have a social group that gets together to attend social events.

Concerns that may discourage you from becoming an Ally
(Adapted from the University of Waterloo GLOW Ally Network Resource Manual 2006)

  • Risk being labelled as gay, lesbian or bisexual by the mainstream community ('by association')
  • Risk becoming a victim to overt or subtle discrimination and harassment
  • Risk being mocked and ridiculed by people that view GBLTI issues as unimportant and unpopular
  • Risk being alienated by friends and colleagues that are not comfortable with you being an Ally

 

Ally Program 2011

Ally Network Meetings
Thursday 5 May
Tuesday 2 August
Tuesday 11 October

Venue: Ward Library Seminar Room,Werrington South Campus 

Ally Training
Tuesday 24 May
Thursday 15 September 

Venue: Frogmore House,Werrington North Campus
 
To register for both, staff must do so on My Career Online, students must contact k.adam-cross@uws.edu.au

 
Ally Campus Representatives

Hawkesbury

Parramatta

Campbelltown

Kingswood

David Lenton
Tel: 0412 350 302
Email: 13434306@student.uws.edu.au
 
 
Werrington North

More Information

The Ally Program is a project of the Equity and Diversity Unit. For more information, please contact Equity and Diversity on 02 9678 7378.

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Ally Open Letter

Dear Equity and Diversity,

In September last year I attended the wedding of two good friends. My partner, a Marriage Celebrant, married them in a lovely ceremony at which their friends and family rejoiced. They were now married, and everyone who witnessed the wedding accepted them as a couple. In the eyes of the law they were a couple too. They had more protection in law than they did just a few minutes before the ceremony, and they had acceptance in the eyes of society.

On a rainy weekend in March, 2011, I attended another wedding. This time, the Marriage Celebrant who officiated at this ceremony flaunted the law. Despite the rain, the happy couple stood and made their vows. Friends and family rejoiced. Everyone who witnessed the ceremony accepted the pair as a couple.

However, in the eyes of the law this second couple are not married. All the social acceptance of ‘being married’ is denied them. Everyone who witnessed the event knew that despite the love and long-term commitment reflected in the ceremony, they were not the same as the couple who were married in September.

A seven-year old friend who was at both weddings asked her mother at the March event ‘Mum, is this a real wedding?’

I didn’t hear the answer. I am left to imagine what the answer might have been. I’ll leave you to pick one:

‘No, darling, two girls aren’t allowed to get married in Australia’

Or,

‘Yes, we think it is, but other people might not’

Or,

‘Of course, my love. Why wouldn’t it be?’

The only difference between the two weddings was that the first involved a man and a woman. The second involved two women.

There is already enough intolerance in the world. Do we really want to teach our kids to despise difference? At the age of seven, Phoebe could see the injustice. Why can’t we all?

Jenny-Lee Heylen

Ally Member, March, 2011 

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