February marks the start of LGBTQ+ history month and while it is important to be an ally all-year long, there's no harm in showing even more support this month.
Being an LGBTQ+ ally is about helping to create an inclusive environment where everyone can be themselves. Although it isn't always, or even often, easy, it is hugely needed and appreciated.
Sometimes grand gestures or big actions aren't needed to be an ally to the community but rather little things like changing from gendered to inclusive language.
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Here's some of the ways you can be a supportive ally this LGBTQ+ History month.
Listen
It is always important to listen to the LGBTQ+ community to understand their perspective not only on the queer experience but also society today.
Often by listening, people become aware of the privilege they have as being heterosexual and cisgender (when you identify as the gender you were assigned at birth). Whether we acknowledge it or not, that privilege can be used to immensely benefit the community.
Educate yourself
As an ally it's important to learn about the LGBTQ+ experience to understand what it means to grow up queer and how that impacts a person now.
Educating yourself can mean learning about the community's history, the struggles they face today or current opposition on the community's road to equality.
Even familiarising yourself with queer culture in case the time ever comes you need to involve an outsider to your group can make all the difference.
Avoid Assumptions
In this day and age, not everyone you come across is straight and cisgender and therefore you should avoid assuming they are.
Until you know their preferred pronouns, avoid using gendered language where these assumptions are implied.
For example, instead of asking someone about their husband or wife, ask about their partner.
Speak up
Far too often do we hear homophobia or transphobia being disregarded as nothing more than a laugh between friends.
But without knowing, you could be pushing one of your friends further into 'back into the closet' so to speak.
A good ally speaks up and calls out anti-LGBTQ+ language, actions and cultures, especially when there are no members of the community around to speak up for themselves.
Support LGBTQ+ Charities
One of the more obvious ways to be an ally this month is to support LGBTQ+ charities.
Regardless if they are local or national, the majority work towards the common goal of making the country a better place for the community.
Supporting charities is also an excellent way to stand up for what you believe in. For instance, Stonewall, are currently encouraging the public to exercise their rights as a constituent by writing to their local MP demanding equal access to IVF for LGBTQ+ people.
After their survey found that 36% of respondents who had children had experienced barriers or challenges when starting their family, they created a tool to see the state of play in your local area.
The tool sends a request to your representative to call on the UK Government’s Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to commit to a review of the inequality in access to NHS-funded fertility services in England.
Peacefully Protest
Protests have been at the heart of the LGBTQ+ community for years now and more times than not have been the direct cause of society stepping on the path towards equality.
When you consider the likes of gay marriage, the teaching of relationships and sex education in schools, being able to donate blood and the option of adoption, all have links to protests.
However, if you are coming out in support of the community, it is also best to do so peacefully.
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