Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of allies in LGBTQ organizations, with a focus on positive and negative ally experiences, ally identification, and the influences on ally leader behavior.Methodology. A qualitative approach was utilized for this inquiry. Data from semistructured, in-depth interviews were recorded and analyzed using phenomenological research methods.Findings and Conclusions. The analysis showed themes within four categories: initial ally involvement, ally discouragement, ally identity development, and ally leader behavior. The analysis showed a consistent experience of a warm welcome among participants as well as noteworthy uncertainty about whether allies were welcome within an LGBTQ organization. A common experience of allies involved experiencing suspicion from non-LGBTQ individuals about their motives for getting involved with an LGBTQ organization. With regard to possible ally discouragement, the analysis showed a low occurrence of confrontational experiences and no significant religious discouragement. A notable finding was the absence of any ally-specific trainings among the participant group. This analysis revealed two previously unidentified phenomena, one in which allies utilized metaphors to situate their identities peripherally in an LGBTQ organization and a second, the ally journey, which describes the rich and complex longitudinal ally development experience. Additionally, the study revealed strong leadership proclivity among allies but high reticence to engage in leadership behavior within LGBTQ organizations: the allyship paradox.Recommendations. Recommendations were provided for LGBTQ organizations, for allies, and for future scholarship. LGBTQ organizations should consider ally-specific training programs and examine whether their organization name clearly invites ally membership, if such membership is desired. Allies should exercise caution when exerting leadership in LGBTQ organizations and must be alert to ways in which their privilege functions even as they work in support of social justice. Future scholarship should delve into the ally journey to elucidate common experiences of being an LGBTQ ally after the initial stages of ally identity development.