The topic of this article is to explore how ethical theory can conceptualize the moral duties of allies and advocates who support marginalized sexual and gender identities. This essay will begin by defining what it means to be an ally or an advocate for marginalized sexual and gender identities and then discuss some key principles from ethical theory that may be relevant to their role.
I'll suggest ways that these theories could inform practical action taken by individuals who seek to be good allies or advocates.
Allies are people who actively support and defend the rights of marginalized groups without being members of those groups themselves. Advocates are similar but more specifically focus on promoting policies and initiatives that benefit marginalized groups. Both roles have important contributions to make in creating more just societies where all identities are respected equally.
One principle that has been proposed in ethical theory is utilitarianism. Utilitarianism argues that the best course of action is always one that maximizes happiness or pleasure for the most people possible. Applying this principle to the role of an ally would mean supporting policies and practices that increase opportunities for marginalized groups while minimizing harm done to others.
If a workplace policy requires employees to wear suits every day, an ally might advocate for allowing non-binary workers to dress according to their own identity rather than conforming to traditional gender norms. Doing so could improve the wellbeing of transgender employees while not causing significant harm to other workers.
Another principle is deontology, which emphasizes following rules or duties for their own sake. A deontological approach to being an ally or advocate would entail taking specific actions based on moral obligations rather than simply pursuing pleasure or avoiding pain.
When a colleague makes a homophobic comment at work, a deontologist might feel duty-bound to confront them directly even though doing so may lead to uncomfortable conversations or social exclusion.
The virtue ethics perspective emphasizes cultivating virtuous character traits such as kindness, courage, and compassion. In terms of being an ally or advocate, this means developing habits like speaking up against discrimination even when it's difficult or inconvenient. It also involves modeling behavior like treating everyone with respect regardless of their identity.
There are relational theories in ethical theory which focus on interpersonal relationships and recognizing how our actions impact those around us. Relational approaches suggest that we should actively engage with others who hold different identities from ourselves in order to understand their experiences better.
These principles from ethical theory can inform practical action taken by individuals who seek to be good allies or advocates for marginalized sexual and gender identities. By considering both utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, and relational theories, we can create more just societies where all identities are equally valued and supported.
How should ethical theory conceptualize the moral duties of allies and advocates supporting marginalized sexual and gender identities?
The conceptualization of moral duties of allies and advocates supporting marginalized sexual and gender identities depends on different factors such as cultural context, social norms, historical background, personal beliefs, etc. Generally speaking, however, it is expected that allies and advocates support individuals with diverse sexual and gender identities by promoting inclusion, acceptance, respect, empathy, and non-judgmentalism.