Even if you aren’t part of the LGBTQIA+ community, there are still ways you can do to make them feel safe, welcome, and accepted.
Related: So, After Pride Month, How Do You Really Support The LGBTQIA+ Community?
Pride is all about celebrating and fighting for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. But more than just a party, Pride is a protest against discrimination, injustice, and bigotry. And this advocacy isn’t just limited to the LGBTQIA+ community as straight allies also have a part to play. Now, more than ever, we should not turn our back on Pride as we continue to advocate for people across all backgrounds and spectrums.
And the thing is, being a straight ally doesn’t require a grand gesture that moves mountains or cures cancer. Simple acts that you can do by yourself and in your community are enough to help make a difference. We’ve listed down a few suggestions on how you can be a helpful straight ally to the community that lasts well beyond Pride Month.
SUPPORT PRIDE EVENTS AND MARCHES (FOR THE RIGHT REASONS)
Every June, dozens of events are held all over the Philippines to celebrate, commemorate, and advocate for Pride, and everyone is welcome to attend, join, and march for the betterment of the community. Even when June is over, you can still showcase your allyship by attending LGBTQIA+ events, whether it be a drag show or a protest. Just remember what the whole point of these events is about.
You’re there in the spirit of inclusion, acceptance, and solidarity, not to clout chase on social media or see your favorite artist and then leave. Be there and support the community for the right reasons. And when we say support, we mean support the whole spectrum of the community, not just one or two letters. If you want to take your allyship a step further, also consider joining or supporting LGBTQIA+-centric organizations that advocate for the community’s advancement.
MAKE A SAFE SPACE FOR THEM
Allyship can make a profound impact even if you do it in your own circles. It starts with making LGBTQIA+ individuals, whether it be your family, friends, or even random strangers, feel safe. A safe space is more than just an actual physical space. It can be an establishment, a home, or even an online community. More than just posting on social media, what matters is that we ourselves are a safe space and make the community feel welcomed through basic human interactions.
For starters, treat them normally and see them for who they are as a person, not for their sexual orientation or gender identity. Avoid asking intrusive questions. Also, speak to them using more inclusive language such as their preferred pronouns and names. And if you don’t know, ask. It won’t kill you to be respectful.
EDUCATE YOURSELF
When it comes to being a good ally, it starts with education. Yes, it’s ok to not know everything. But staying purposefully ignorant and not making an effort to learn is not the vibe. Take the time to educate yourself on the proper terms, labels, names, meanings, and the like. We live in a heteronormative society, so you may have to unlearn what you’ve been taught and told before to understand the community.
Don’t be afraid to challenge your biases, stereotypes, assumptions, and privilege. A good ally isn’t afraid to admit when they’re wrong and give themselves the time to do and be better. You may not get it all in one sitting (and that’s fine), but as long as you’re trying, you’re on the right path. Knowing and understanding is the first step to acceptance and inclusion.
LISTEN AND LEARN AND DON’T PUT YOURSELF AT THE CENTER OF THE CONVERSATION
You are there to be a friend and supporter, so open up and be willing to listen and learn what the community has to say. More importantly, you aren’t there to dictate how they should feel because invalidating their experiences is the last thing we want to do. Drop the assumptions, don’t trivialize the situation, and let them share their stories and what they want to tell you. And there’s no need to overthink this. Just show up, be a decent human being, be kind, and lead with your heart.
DON’T USE ALLYSHIP AS JUST A LABEL
In the age of social media, we sometimes fall into the trap of wanting to score moral superiority points to make ourselves feel better, and being an LGBTQIA+ ally is part of that. Allyship should never be used as a sticker to put on yourself or a status symbol to show that you’re somehow better than other people. It should be a commitment that goes beyond being a label. Pride is a protest, after all, and will continue after June is over. Discrimination, harassment, and oppression don’t have days off, and neither should being an ally.
SUPPORT QUEER-OWNED AND ALLIED BUSINESSES
While it is nice seeing big corporations show their support to the LGBTQIA+ community, rainbow capitalism can be a double-edged sword. This is why it’s important to show your support towards queer Filipino-owned and true allied businesses by directing your wallet towards them. Nothing is as powerful as voting through your wallet, so give to businesses who truly deserve the support when multi-national companies commit rainbow washing while still engaging in policies that negatively affect the LGBTQIA+ community.
Continue Reading: 7 Filipino LGBTQIA+ Commercials That Captured What It Means To Love
