The Mardi Gras Festival is vastly approaching and we know that quite a lot of you are gearing up for a big night on Oxford Street. So, for those of you who aren’t in the LGBTQIA+ community, but consider yourself allies, we’ve got some advice for you!
According to an Absolut report conducted by researcher, author and LGBTIQ+ advocate, Dr Shirleene Robinson, 75% of LGBTQIA+ Australians have personally experienced negativity or discrimination relating to their LGBTQIA+ status. Further, this number rises to 80% for transgender Australians. And yet, only 25% of allies and friends end up voicing their support for the community. The rest are merely ‘silent supporters’.
While the marriage equality vote in 2017 brought equality to a marginalised group of people, it also shed a spotlight on negative voices in our community. 38% of Australians voted no to marriage equality, which was a huge hit to the queer community. More than 70% of LGBTIQ+ people felt negative during the postal survey period. Also, more than 43% of queer Australians feel that Australia isn’t accepting of their community. But there are ways we can change this.
This Mardi Gras, let’s put an end to silent support and speak up. Why? There are two main reasons; there’s an undeniable power in positivity and allies can help share the load.
Hey! Make sure you check out our chat with Kat Dopper, the Creative Director of Mardi Gras 2020 and the founder of Heaps Gay on this episode of It’s Been A Big Day For…
The Power In Positivity
The same research that shed light on the negativity to come out of the same-sex marriage debate also illuminated the power of help from allies. Support in any way shape or form from allies provides degrees of protection against the overwhelming negativity aimed at the LGBTQIA+ community, especially when it’s coming from family and friends.
Further, LGBTQIA+ rights and mental-health organisation’s “public messages of support appear to improve the psychological well-being of same-sex attracted people who require it most,” according to report author Stefano Verrelli.
Allies Help Share The Load
Also, what allies don’t realise is that a little effort goes a long way. For all the Australian LGBTQIA+ community who don’t see acceptance within their own family, support from ally friends can be incredibly helpful. It shows that you care and helps the person know that they’re not alone in their struggles.
It’s super easy to be a good ally. Whether it’s in real life or on social media, you can show your support by standing up against anti-queer speech, being respectful in your language about the LGBTQIA+ community, reflecting on your own prejudices and being an advocate for more queer perspectives.
So the next time someone uses “gay” as a slur, call them out. When someone misgenders someone, call them out and instruct them on how to refer to that individual correctly, for future reference. And when someone of the queer community is confiding in you, listen, make sure they’re being heard and put yourself in their shoes.
Here’s to a happy Mardi Gras Festival, everybody!
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