Solidarity Week

12 Tips for Showing Solidarity from the National Student Council

  1. Educate Yourself & Others! - Take the time to educate yourself about LGBTQIA2S+ terminology, identities, and issues to better understand the experiences of LGBTQIA2S+ students. Then share your knowledge with your peers and encourage dialogues, no matter how uncomfortable. 
  2. Spread the word –  Boost social media content educating those about what's happening and do your research. 
  3. Learn about Pronouns! - Put your pronouns in your email signature, social media profiles, and elsewhere. Check out GLSEN’s Pronoun Guide if you’re not sure where to start.
  4. Challenge Stereotypes and Myths! - Disrupt stereotypes and misconceptions about LGBTQIA2S+ people when you encounter them. The more you educate yourself, the more you’ll be able to speak up.
  5. Listen Actively - Be a supportive and empathetic listener when LGBTQIA2S+ students share their experiences, challenges, and feelings.
  6. Speak up - Call upon leaders in your school and community to provide safe spaces for LGBTQIA2S+ students. Check out NSC’s Action Guide for more info about advocating on behalf of other LGBTQIA2S+ students.
  7. Donate! - Whether you donate your time via sweat equity, resources or materials, or money!
  8. De-center yourself! - Create conditions that allow directly impacted communities to take front and center if they so wish. Remember that oftentimes those that are closest to the problems are also the closest to the solutions.  
  9. Be Consistent! - Inconsistencies erode trust and the practice of solidarity must be sustainable. 
  10. Learn from Mistakes - Be open to learning and acknowledge if you make mistakes or have biases. It's a part of the journey toward solidarity.
  11. Practice community care - Check in with the student leaders and see if they need support to prevent burn out! 
  12. Start at home - Remember that sometimes showing solidarity requires making difficult sacrifices in interpersonal relationships!