Solidarity Week

History and Background

Ally Week was a national youth-led effort encouraging students to be allies with the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) members of their community in standing against bullying, harassment, and name-calling. It took place in K-12 schools and colleges. It was created by Joe Montana and other youth members of the Gay Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) National JumpStart Student Leadership Team.

The goal of Ally Week was to diminish stereotypes and exclusion while highlighting that peer support for LGBT+ students is stronger than the students themselves may have thought existed. In a survey of 240 undergraduates regarding what peer support they felt LGBT+ students had, research found that their personal attitudes were significantly more positive than they thought their friends and fellow students held. Allies are identified as supporters but not necessarily members of a marginalized group.

During Ally Week people were encouraged to sign an ally pledge “taking a stand for a safe and harassment-free school for all students”, and that they will not use anti-LGBT+ language and slurs, they will intervene if possible to stop bullying and harassment and support safer schools efforts.

Ally Week to Solidarity Week

Directly from their page: As an organization dedicated to safe and inclusive schools for LGBTQ+ students and educators in K-12 schools for 30 years, the decision to change Ally Week to Solidarity Week was heavily influenced by student feedback, the current climate highlighting historic harm done to Black people, and the responsibility to adjust language, ideas, and actions that are appropriate and reflect the voices of those we serve and center those most impacted by oppressive systems and behaviors.

Solidarity Week is a student-powered campaign dedicated to building collective support for LGBTQ+ students and educators. This week-long program helps people learn about and practice solidarity with different identities.

How to Participate

You can participate by visiting the organizer’s website for various materials and the current year’s campaign theme. If your campus has an LGBTQ group, encourage them to organize events throughout the week and register through the organizer’s website. If you’re on social media, use the current year’s hashtags and campaign photos to spread the word and encourage others to do the same.

Who maintains this page?