YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH
A SAFE SPACE FOR OUR LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
Welcome to our safe space for our LGBTQ+ community. A space to read, learn and educate yourself on the big issues of LGBTQ+ inequality. Here we want to encourage allyship and make sure our LGBTQ+ friends feel supported.
Welcome to our safe space for our LGBT+ community. A space to read, learn and educate yourself on the big issues of LGBT+ inequality. Here we want to encourage allyship and make sure our LGBT+ friends feel supported.
SOCIETY TELLS YOU THAT YOU DON’T FIT IN. WE’RE TELLING YOU THAT YOU DO. SOCIETY NEEDS TO CHANGE. NOT YOU.
NINE WAYS TO BE A BETTER ALLY
This Pride, we’re doing more than celebrating. We’re raising our voices to bring LGBTQ+ issues to light. We’re speaking out loud and we’re here to make change. We see you. We stand with you. We support you.
We know not everyone is at the same stage in their journey to become a better ally. Some of you are already on the front line (we salute you), while some of you want to do more. Whether you’re looking for ways to educate yourself, show your support or put your allyship into action, we’ve put together some things you can do to be that better ally.
EDUCATE YOURSELF
LISTEN
Stop and take it all in. Sometimes the best thing you can do is to soak up everything. Take time out to actively listen to others’ personal stories and experiences with mental health – whether it’s through podcasts, case studies, biographies or your own LGBTQ+ friends. It’s time to get uncomfortable.
LEARN
Read up. Take those stories you’ve heard and find out more. Educate yourselves. Get beneath the skin of the issue, read stats and find out more about the mental health crisis within the LGBTQ+ community. Lack of understanding and willingness to learn is just as harmful as discriminative systems. You’ve listened to experiences, now it’s time to understand why.
PRONOUNS
Small things can make a big difference. Referring to someone as the wrong title can hurt. Be thoughtful. Pronouns are a huge point of stress for the trans community. We need to learn and understand how to properly use and normalise pronouns so that our transgender friends can feel seen. Start by adding your pronouns to your email signature or Instagram bio.
INFLUENCE YOUR CIRCLE
SHARE
Spread the word. Add to the awareness. The more people are informed, the quicker we lose any stigma. Share your findings with your friends, discuss with your colleagues and share on your social media. The silence must be broken. We need to speak out and shout out. The more open conversations we have, the better chance we have to make real change.
SUPPORT
Console people, be there for them, do what you can do to help. Learn how to ask your LGBTQ+ friends how they really are. Don’t be afraid to open up conversations with them. Be a listening ear and be a friend. Learn which direction to point your LGBTQ+ friends if they need tailored support.
CHALLENGE
Call things out. Don’t sit in silence. Tell someone when they’re making a mistake and offer a solution for the future. Not sure what the best solution is? Then research it. You don’t have to know everything; learning is the whole part of the process. The more learning, listening and reading you do, the more equipped you are to handle discrimination.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
PROTEST
However you interpret that. Do what you can to change perceptions. Follow social media pages, talk to friends and find out how you can get involved. Showing up for your LGBTQ+ friends is just as important as speaking up. When we’re united, we’re unstoppable. Together, let’s march and fight for real change.
DANCE
Protest, make noise, fight against the system, yes. But have fun. Dance. Pride is a party, too. Nothing can stop you having fun. Pride is a time for many to feel free and be themselves. It’s a time for self-love. Loving yourself is rebelling against outdated systems and discriminative mindsets. Self-love is your superpower. So, go love yourself.
DONATE
There are lots of good causes fighting the good fight. Find them, research, support. However you can. There are specific LGBTQ+ mental health organisations that are here to help and give the time and advice that’s needed.
“Never feel too small or powerless to make a difference.”
Anita Roddick
Founder of The Body Shop
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We know that the topic of self-love can be a triggering for some people. If you have been affected by any of the self-love content, and would like to speak to someone further about it, please do reach out to the following organisations for support: