Personal opinion: It isn’t for us cis-folks to decide whether we’re an ally of trans people or not. That’s for trans-folks to decide based on our behavior. It might be better to say something like “I do my best to support trans rights” because then you’re not labeling yourself, rather describing your behavior. I just don’t think it’s up to anyone to be able to label themselves as an “ally” of any group. That’s for the group they want to be an ally of to decide.
Also, in my experience, the people who are loudest about being an ally of any group are the least effective allies and most effective at posturing as an ally through performative allyship.
Well said. I usually preface it with “I’ll always vote to protect your rights”, which I feel has that weak milktoast “I am an ally” energy, but I hear you in terms of measuring personable actions and it not being about me.
Personal opinion: It isn’t for us cis-folks to decide whether we’re an ally of trans people or not. That’s for trans-folks to decide based on our behavior. It might be better to say something like “I do my best to support trans rights” because then you’re not labeling yourself, rather describing your behavior. I just don’t think it’s up to anyone to be able to label themselves as an “ally” of any group. That’s for the group they want to be an ally of to decide.
Also, in my experience, the people who are loudest about being an ally of any group are the least effective allies and most effective at posturing as an ally through performative allyship.
I’d also like cis people to become aware of the fact that the concept of me having allies is totally useless to me.
you either internalize that fighting against bio-essentialism is also for your own sake or you become a danger to me.
for some reading on why the ally-oppressed group relationship is toxic: https://www.indigenousaction.org/accomplices-not-allies-abolishing-the-ally-industrial-complex/
Both of these are excellent pieces, thank you for sharing. Well worth the read for anyone else wondering.
Well said. I usually preface it with “I’ll always vote to protect your rights”, which I feel has that weak milktoast “I am an ally” energy, but I hear you in terms of measuring personable actions and it not being about me.