Friday 04-02-2022 - 12:08

I am an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. As a disclaimer, I would like to reiterate I am not trying to be the saviour in this scenario, nor am I claiming to be an expert in allyship. This isn’t a perfect ‘how to be an ally guide’. However, I believe being active, sharing my own journey educating myself on allyship and creating a discussion is a way to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.

 

To be an ally means to be human. If you are an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, you are a cisgender heterosexual person who supports equal civil rights, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ social movements, and actively challenges homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. In a perfect world, that should be obvious behaviour. No one should ever want to intentionally hurt another human being for feeling something as normal as love.

 

Unfortunately, we live in a society that is poisoned with homophobia. It is brilliant to agree you want equality, but just saying that isn’t enough. We need to be active allies and do our part in the fight for equal rights.

My life has never been restricted as a straight person. Just recently, I learned through discussion with people in the LGBTQ+ community that is can be difficult, if not impossible, to travel because gay sex is criminalised in 71 countries and anti-gay laws exist in abundance.

 

Through my own ignorance, I never even thought of that. I can travel wherever I want without thinking, yet there are laws making it impossible for queer people to travel because it is an unsafe and dangerous environment. It is stomach churning to think someone can’t explore certain parts of the world. That is just one of the ways a queer person’s life experience can be completely different to that of a cisgender heterosexual person.

So, what can we do to help?

 

Let’s stop being an armchair allies and start being active allies!

 

First, engage in conversation. This is one of the best ways I have found to improve my allyship. Listen to people who are part of the community, engage with their stories, understand their opinions, and learn how they want to be respected. We can learn so many things just be hearing the true, authentic stories of people we encounter daily.

 

Second, familiarise yourself with the correct terminology. Trust me, we’re not always going to be correct because everyone is human, and it’s no secret that humans make mistakes. If I make a mistake, I correct myself as soon as possible and apologise, for example if I have assumed somebody’s pronouns by mistake.

 

When introducing yourself to somebody new, tell them your pronouns and ask for theirs. Pronouns are used in place of names when referring to somebody in third person; many people choose pronouns to indicate their gender identity – for example, my pronouns are she/her/hers. We should include our pronouns into our social media and email accounts.

 

If you would like to learn more about pronouns, our Trans & Non-Binary Officer Kai is delivering pronoun workshops for Feel Good February. Click here to get involved.

 

Thirdly, celebrate with the LGBTQ+ community. Personally, I like to educate myself by attending events and watching performances. During Pride Week, we’ve had LGBTQ+ nights, queer hangouts and more, which I have seen as an opportunity to embrace the culture of the LGBTQ+ community and learn more about the community. If you missed any of the events this week, we have a Queer Society that host a range of activities weekly – it’s a chance for students to meet likeminded individuals with the same interests.

 

Do our research on the history of LGBT activism. To understand the oppression the LGBTQ+ community experience, it’s vital we do the research behind it. Homosexuality is still criminalised in over 70 countries, and it is punishable by death in eleven - the fight for equality continues globally. I am dedicated to extending my personal research; a good starting point is All Out – a charity dedicated to the global plight of LGBTQ+ communities.  

 

Support LGBTQ+ charities. There are numerous charities that you can volunteer with or donate to. One charity that holds a place in my heart is Cara- Friend – the only charity in Northern Ireland that supports LGBTQ+ people aged 11-25, providing help ‘coming out’, and guidance for parents, teachers, and carers. Obviously, charity starts at home and there is a wide range of LGBTQ+ charities that provide support here in the North West such as LGBT Charity (Blackpool), The Proud Trust (Manchester), LCR Pride Foundation (Liverpool) and The Michael Causer Foundation (Liverpool).

 

This is only a hand full of suggestions. However, everyone needs to start somewhere: you don’t have to be great to start, you have to start to be great.

 

I want to listen. I am working hard to ensure I am aware what support LGBTQ+ students need during their time here at Edge Hill. I will always stand in solidarity in fighting for equal rights.

 

Most importantly, if you are part of the LGBTQ+ community and you are reading this blog, be proud of yourself. Too often, you have had to fight for your right to love, be yourself, and you always take the time to educate cisgender people like me. I want to personally thank you. One of the many reasons I wanted to be your Student Engagement Officer was because I want to learn more and gain the confidence to speak, write and educate on LGBTQ+ rights.

 

In light of recent developments that have happened on our campus this Pride Week it is so important that we are active in fighting the battle against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia.

 

Read more about EHSU Pride Week:

https://www.edgehillsu.org.uk/articles/the-history-of-drag-radical-and-revolutionary-kai-lambert

https://www.edgehillsu.org.uk/articles/exploring-gender-in-lockdown-anonymous-student

https://www.edgehillsu.org.uk/articles/the-history-of-drag-radical-and-revolutionary-kai-lambert