RAD and Deaf Rainbow UK: How to be an ally for the LGBTQIA+ community (BSL)

This video is part of a series produced in partnership with Deaf Rainbow UK.
Being an LGBTQIA+ ally means supporting and being an advocate for LGBTQIA+ people.
An ally is supportive and actively encourages people around them to change their perception of LGBTQIA+.
The important thing to remember is that if someone comes out to you, you are someone they really trust and that they want to show their authentic self without any judgement.
Coming out is a very personal, vulnerable experience, and the support needed will look different for each person. There are coming out stories on Deaf Rainbow UK website if you want to check them out.
Here are some suggestions on how you can become an ally:
-Learn about issues that are important to the community.
Talk to people who identify as LGBTQIA+, read books and other publications, watch LGBTQIA+ inspired movies or TV series, podcasts and visit businesses or websites run by people from the community.
-Change your mindset.
Being an ally means you will often find that you need to challenge any bias, stereotypes, and assumptions you didn't realise you had. Think about the jokes you make, the pronouns you use and if you wrongly assume someone's partner is of a particular sex or gender just because of the way they look and act. LGBTQIA+ prejudices can be subtle, and transphobia and biphobia exist even within the LGBTQIA+ community. Being a better ally means being open to the idea of being wrong sometimes and being willing to work on it.
-Be visible and support the community as much as you can.
This means going to rallies and events, appropriately calling out homophobia, transphobia or queerphobia wherever you see it, and supporting businesses, charities or other initiatives owned or operated by LGBTQIA+ people. Get involved in the community and show your support.
-Take care of the people in your life who need support.
Whether it’s friends, family, classmates or workmates, keep an eye on the people you know who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Part of being an ally means being there for people when they need you. Offer your shoulder to cry on, give them space to vent or rage, or spend time with them doing something they enjoy, to keep their spirits up.
-Don't assume, ask.
Don't assume that all your friends, co-workers, and even housemates are straight. Don't assume someone's gender or pronouns. LGBTQIA+ people don't look a particular way and someone's current or previous partner(s) doesn't define their sexuality.
-Be aware of the space you take up and check your privilege.
Most of us (including those of us within the LGBTQIA+ community) have some type of privilege - whether it's racial, class, education, being cis-gendered, able-bodied or straight.
Being privileged doesn't mean that you have not had your fair share of struggles in life. It just means that there are some things you won't ever have to think or worry about just because of the way you were brought up. Understanding your own privileges can help you empathise with marginalised or oppressed groups.
-Know that you will sometimes make mistakes - breathe, apologise, ask for guidance and acknowledge feedback.
Accidentally assumed someone’s label? Having a conversation about someone who is trans or non-binary, and unintentionally used the wrong pronoun? It happens - don’t panic, apologise, and correct yourself.
-Talk to the people around you and support them to be an ally, too.
The great thing about being an ally for one group of people is that it can open your eyes to be an ally for everyone. People don’t fit into just one box.
‘Intersectionality’ is a term used to describe all the different identities or social categorisations a person has.
If someone who identifies as LGBTQIA+ is also a person of colour or also lives with a disability, they might be discriminated against because of each of these identities. So, when you stand up for one marginalised group, you’re standing up for them all.
To be an effective ally, we will need to be intersectional - which means we can’t just fight for the rights of LGBTQIA+ people. We need to be fighting for equality for everyone, regardless of their race, gender identity, disability or sexual preference.
Try choosing one action to start with:
-Go to Pride or LGBTQIA+ events.
-Educate yourself on issues that are important to the community.
-Check-in with your LGBTQIA+ peers after a particularly bad news day.
Being a good LGBTQIA+ ally isn’t about being perfect or right all of the time. No one is perfect. However, if you’re curious, open to listening and learning, and ready to challenge stereotypes that represent LGBTQIA+ people as ‘other,’ then you’re doing the work. That’s effective and powerful.
For more information, please email or send a BSL video to:
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RAD BSL Information Hub: bit.ly/4c5Id3P
www.royaldeaf.org.uk/informat...
Deaf Rainbow UK website: www.deafrainbowuk.org.uk/