How to be an ally

Posted on May 16 2024 by Jacqui

This IDAHOBIT Day you might hear people saying, 鈥榮how your allyship鈥, or 鈥榖e a good ally鈥, but what does being a good ally actually look like?

An ally to the LGBTQIA+ community is someone proactively supports and advocates for equality, especially if a situation is challenging or uncomfortable. An ally is often someone that doesn't face LGBTQIA+ discrimination. They have the power to help create a safe and welcoming environment for their peers, family and friends that do face discrimination.

A good ally is someone that models inclusive language, which can look like:

  1. Asking someone鈥檚 pronouns or offering yours:

Asking or offering your pronouns can help someone feel comfortable in a situation and show that you are supportive.

鈥淲hat are your pronouns?鈥 鈥淭hanks for asking! My pronouns are They/Them鈥

鈥淢y pronouns are She/Her, what are yours?鈥 鈥淚 use He/Him pronouns鈥

2. Avoid Assumptions about someone鈥檚 gender or sexuality, which can look like:

Using language that assumes someone鈥檚 gender or sexuality can be hurtful. Using gender neutral language ensures you are inclusive of all gender and sexualities.

鈥淲hat's your partners name? They are really funny!鈥

A good ally is also someone learns and promotes inclusivity through:

3. Actively Listening

Listening to the experiences of your LGBTQIA+ friends, family or peers with an open mind. If people ask you questions about the community or for your opinion on an issue, recommend LGBTQIA+ books, magazines, podcasts or social media accounts they can follow. This allows for people from the community to give their lived experience perspective.

4. Visible support

Displaying visible symbols of LGBTQIA+ inclusion shows to others that you鈥檙e someone that is an ally. This can include wearing a rainbow pin on your lanyard, having your pronouns in your social media bio, sharing content from the LGBTQIA+ people and participating in events like IDAHOBIT day.

Understanding these experiences聽and applying these ideas will help you to show good allyship to LGBTQIA+, from a place of genuine understanding and support.

Written by Content Creator Edie

Tagged in What messes with your head