Advocate

An advocate is someone who actively supports and works to advance the rights, dignity, and well-being of LGBTQ+ people. Advocacy takes many forms: speaking up against discrimination, backing affirming laws and policies, volunteering with community groups, correcting misinformation, or standing up for a friend or coworker. Advocates come from both inside and outside the community, and the word overlaps closely with ally. PFLAG describes an ally as someone who supports LGBTQ+ people personally or as an advocate. The scale ranges from small everyday acts to organized political and legal work, and what matters is action rather than a label.