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The most important part of being an ally is recognizing one’s privilege and supporting marginalized groups in their fight for justice. But the nature of privilege is that you aren’t taught that you have it. So a lot of people aren’t sure how to do that. To help, Franchesca Ramsey has made this video with five action-oriented tips for how to be a better ally.

I have been reflecting a lot lately on how I can be a better ally. And as we wade our way into 2015, I suppose now is as good a time as any to consider some ways that any person who wishes to act accountably as an ally can do better in 2015. So here’s my list of 30 ways that those of us who strive to act in solidarity and allyship (most notably inclusive of myself) can be better allies.

This article was originally published on The Huffington Post and republished here with the author’s permission. What does it mean to be a white ally for racial justice? Is it sharing a Jordan Edwards hashtag on twitter? Publicly decrying a lack of judicial justice every time a Black man is murdered by the police? Passing…

Would you call yourself an ally or an ally in training? This fun comic shows the difference, and it can help you understand what effective allyship really means.

This author meets many people who want to be her ally, but don’t know where to start. These tips can help you support queer families in everyday ways.

It can be hard to know how to be a good ally. Do you have more ideas to add to Hannah’s list?

It’s easy to say you’re a male ally and a feminist. What’s not so easy is checking your privilege, making a deliberate effort to use your privilege in a constructive way, and giving up oppressive behaviors. But that’s what being a male feminist means. Check out this cartoon to see what it looks like when allies talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk.

You may think you’ve got the basics down – but these myths are common even among well-meaning allies. So make sure you know the truth.

We can’t determine who has a disability simply from appearance. So how can we be allies in everyday life for people with invisible disabilities? These will help.

Should the LGBTQIA+ acronym include an “A” for “ally”? Here’s why allies don’t belong in the acronym – and where they should be instead.

Person with their hand on their head, indicating embarrassment at making a mistake

No ally is “perfect” – so like this author, you’ve probably made some mistakes. This author’s getting real about his missteps, and we can all learn from the lessons he took away from them.

Bernie Sanders, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, respectability politics – lots of white folks who say they support black people are missing the mark in racial justice conversations. Here’s how to give more effective support.

We’ve all been there – just when you think you’ve become a good ally, somebody tells you that you’ve done or said something problematic. Here’s the good news: nobody’s perfect, so you’re not alone. Perfection is not what’s important, and being an ally doesn’t mean you can do no wrong. Read about what is important, and learn what to do if you make a mistake.

“Why is this event only for [insert marginalized identity]? I’m an ally! I want to show my support.” While it can hurt when you come with good intentions, a healing space that is only for people of a marginalized identity that you don’t share is not for you. And that’s actually ok and needed. But sometimes we forget that and demand entry. Here’s another approach.

“I mean it as a compliment when I notice you’ve lost weight!” Okay. But just because you’re well-intentioned doesn’t mean what you say doesn’t have a harmful impact. I know your perception of me might have changed because you’re socialized to believe smaller is better, but there are better ways to behave when you notice someone has lost weight.

This is the essential conflict of being queer in a small, conservative town – should you chose to live openly and unapologetically, you might be rejected by the very people and things you’ve spent a lifetime loving. But it is possible to inspire change and build community in your own neck of the woods. The world needs people who stay and I want you to know that this flighty gay is here for you.

Do you know what it’s like to be bisexual when people assume you must be gay or straight? This article breaks down the damaging result of bi erasure, and shows how to be a better ally to bisexual people.

A person wearing a stylish bright yellow shirt stands, hands in pockets, against a railing overlooking a city street.

Being a thin ally to fat acceptance movements includes hard conversations about things like making sure your activism doesn’t further marginalize fat people. These lessons can be a helpful start.

Did you hear how American Idol tried to “include” transgender contestants? Or how Jose Canseco planned to “understand” Caitlyn Jenner? Kat Blaque’s got the scoop on what fake allyship looks like.

Person with arms crossed, looking serious

What are we missing when we call ourselves allies? This author had some insightful realizations about what it really takes to give support, and you might find yourself taking off the “ally” label once you’ve read them.