8 Ways White LGBTQ+ People Can Be Better Allies to Black People

The fight for equality is a fight that all share. This is why white LGBTQ+ people must be involved in the Black Lives Matter uprising. As the queer people of color who have been architects for both social movements demonstrate—Marsha P. Johnson, James Baldwin, and Bayard Rustin, to name a few—the struggle against bigotry is intersectional and intertwined.

And white LGBTQ+ people, due to their race, are uniquely positioned to leverage their privilege to fight racism. Here are 8 ways to begin that journey of allyship.

1. Self-evaluate.

White LGBTQ+ still face many struggles in society. But because of the color of their skin, they also enjoy privileges that often go unacknowledged. Take time to realize these privileges and reflect on the ways you may have contributed to racism in the past. Then, do better moving forward.

2. Quit the guilt trip.

You’ve been complicit your entire life in racism. Acknowledge this reality, but don’t be overwhelmed by it. Too much guilt can be paralyzing.

3. Self-educate.

Black people have enough to deal with right now without being burdened by questions of how to help. There are many excellent resources that exist to help in this regard. Seek them out. Try starting with White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo.

4. Make friends.

Take a long, hard look at your social circle. If the people you interact with in digital and real-life spaces are mostly white, then it’s past time to broaden your networks. Seek out new friendships. Take steps to be inclusive of people of color in your life. Then, listen to them.

5. Donate.

Give money to organizations that support equality for Black LGBTQ+ people, including the National Black Justice Coalition, the Black AIDS Institute, the Trans Justice Funding Project, the Okra Project, and the Center for Black Equity. No resources to spare? There are many other ways to help. Contact a group and find out how to volunteer.

6. See something? Say something.

White silence is white violence. If you witness racism—in school, work, the streets, or brunch—call it out.

7. Elevate Black voices.

Are you an influencer? Pass the microphone to a Black activist. Are you an executive in corporate America? Hire Black workers. Do you know someone in a position with power? Have a conversation with them about using it. Every white person in American has access to privilege that they can use to help Black people. So use it.

8. Remember: Racism is a solvable problem.

Racism pervades every aspect of life, from the federal government, to police brutality, to everyday microaggressions. Don’t let that fool you into believing the problem is too big to tackle. Racism is created by humans, which means humans can implement solutions to address it. That process starts with you.