How to Be An Awesome Ally

Table of Contents

• Beyond What We See: Inclusive Greetings / Small Ta …

• Happy Juneteenth

• Trans Joy

  • This Will Pick You Up

• ✨How to Be an Awesome Ally ✨

• Collaboration Makes Change Happen

• Showing Up for Solstice 🌞

• Community Connection - PRIDE IS NOT OVER 🏳️‍🌈🏳️ …

Beyond What We See: Inclusive Greetings / Small Talk

Small story with big impact: Last weekend I was about to walk by a beautiful blind woman walking a path in the park. Was about to say my usual, “Beautiful day, isn’t it?” but thought better of it. Instead I thought of what she might appreciate in the day, and said, “Wonderful temperatures we’re feeling! Aren’t we fortunate?”

She smiled so big and thanked me. See? We just need to meet people where they are. It’s so simple.

Other ways to connect that don't assume shared sensory experiences:

• "The energy here is wonderful" instead of "this place looks amazing"

• "I love the sounds of this season" rather than only visual seasonal observations

• Asking "How are you experiencing this [event/space/moment]?" which opens up different ways of engaging

Happy Juneteenth

The Be the Glitter podcast with Erich Butler and Yolanda Brown is beyond amazing. Let’s not ignore intersectionality when we think of all human rights.

I’m just going to leave this clip here… and you can listen to the full episode on a nice long walk with your headphones. They brought so much glitter.

Trans Joy

Yes, there is trans joy. Humans can feel all the things in a day. Fear. Love. Frustration. Joy! Oh and Joy is the good stuff. That’s when everything aligns, from what they share. Values, career opportunities, clothes… when those all fit, the joy can be contagious.

What does an ally do? All you have to do is listen to their stories, stand behind them as an advocate, and approach the situation with understanding and abundance.

This Will Pick You Up

Be The Glitter, this podcast I created almost out of a dare from friends, is now sparkling with inspiration. Every guest shares stories and advice that is worth spreading like glitter. One Short example is this beautiful clip of the shining star, Rachel Cruz in the UK. She wanted to share the mantra that got her through ten years of transition to help others.

How do you be a thoughtful ally? Listen & Share it. It can save lives.

✨How to Be an Awesome Ally ✨

For those of you who are asking, “How do I be an ally?” I have so many answers for you. Many podcast guests share what it means to them to be an ally. Jo Greene (formally Diana Pastrana), explains the beauty of choosing action as an ally in this clip from our recent episode:

Collaboration Makes Change Happen

If you haven’t felt the power of Gregg Potter’s heart yet, and you’re feeling the tug of the summer solstice beckoning for support in making change, I highly recommend checking out the upcoming Collaboration Cohort. There might be only a couple seats left and it’s worth sliding in there before it starts.

Showing Up for Solstice 🌞

Here we are, mid-year, one of my favorite times to reflect, reconnect, and refocus. I used to host solstice parties for womyn, make a small pyre with offering baskets nestled in amongst the wood like nests so friends could release something, burn something, that needed to turn to ashes. Then we would share what we wanted to bring in to replace it. Common needs: Love, Respect, Freedom, Healing.

Journal prompt: Take some time to think about what (or who) needs to be put away, left behind, or burned away to make space for what you truly need. Write it all out, even if in list form.

✨ Take this reminder from Gregg Potter, shared after he spoke about how in Kenya the Maasai tribe lives fully.

✨ Write a letter to someone you need to release to make peace. Speak your truth. Read it out loud and burn it on Saturday. How does this feel now? What does the rest of your year look like with this relief?

Community Connection - PRIDE IS NOT OVER 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

What to do as an ally and advocate during pride month… and always and forever afterwards.

✨ Wear your colors

✨ Support trans people

✨ Look up local pride events and organizations

✨ Ask other allies to show up with you

✨ Share queer inspiration (hint: Follow my YouTube podcast, Like videos, and Share them with others)

Oh my goodness, there is so much more to share, like my book is in the Southwestern Wisconsin library system now, and workshops I’m going to teach, and progress on the book… I’ll just have to share more often.

What do I need from you? For now, I’d love to grow the subscribers to this newsletter and my Be The Glitter YouTube podcast. Your help in that is greatly appreciated!

Sending you lots of love,

Laura