According to Absolut’s Make Love Louder report, three in four LGBTIQA+ Australians have personally experienced negativity or discrimination relating to their LGBTIQA+ status.
Although generally, Australia is moving towards becoming a more progressive society, with the majority of Australians supporting the LGBTIQA+ community, the report finds many consider themselves to be “silent supporters”. Unfortunately, this means that the loudest voices often come from the negative minority of non-supporters, and can lead to unnecessary ugliness.
Even though I myself identify with the queer community, I am certainly guilty of being a silent supporter. It can be difficult to know how to stand up against discrimination in moments of vulnerability and to practise supportive acts in simple, everyday ways.
But it’s time to be loud.
The report finds 67% of LGBTIQA+ Australians say that fear of discrimination has caused them to change their daily activities. That can simply mean the way they dress, the way they walk, talk, gesture, where they work, where they hang out, what kind of food and drinks they consume, their social media presence…
We live in a world right now where we understand the importance of loving who we are, and not just for ourselves, but for everyone else. The world is a better place with love, so let’s learn to love out loud, together.
Here are some simple ways to show your ongoing love for the LGBTIQA+ community, whether you’re a part of it or not.
Use respectful language about the LGBTIQA+ community
Language has always been important, but now more than ever. The use of correct pronouns is a simple way to show someone that you respect who they are and how they identify.
The different pronouns are she/her, they/them, he/him or a combo of any of the above. They/them is the pronoun for anyone who identifies as non-binary (neither male, nor female). This can take some getting used to, especially if you’re unfamiliar with such pronouns, but no one expects you to just know someone else’s pronouns without asking. Asking is always the best protocol.
With Instagram and LinkedIn’s new pronoun feature, more people are putting their pronouns on their personal profiles, normalising the use or pronouns in every day life and as a way of presenting yourself. These days, our online identities can be useful in relaying information about ourselves that we are still getting used to or may feel uncomfortable sharing in certain environments, such as a job interview.
Help LGBTIQA+ people and perspectives to be seen and heard
Share stories and educate people by having an open dialogue always. We’re lucky that we have so many platforms to share uncensored stories and learn from others. If you see something, share it. If you hear something disrespectful being said, call it out. Even if it’s a passing comment and the person involved doesn’t seem phased, if you feel like it’s inappropriate or disrespectful, there’s no harm in politely addressing it.
There are so many amazing members of the LGBTIQA+ that are total allies, standing up for themselves and their community, telling stories and sharing their talents with the world. If you’re too shy to be vocal, simply hero them and share them as widely as you can.
You can also share and support the LGBTQ+ community by sharing their work. Queer filmmakers, writers, musicians and other creatives that are working in difficult industries but have amazing stories to tell are endless.
Get involved with the Melbourne Queer Film Festival and hero some of Melbourne’s most talented queer filmmakers and actors, volunteer at JOY 94.9, Melbourne’s LGBTQ+ community radio station and help young queer artists have their first song on the radio or attend some Victorian Pride Centre events, become a volunteer or supporter to help raise money for a greater cause. Even just attending a gay night at a bar, a drag show or a gay club can help financially support the queer community. Your door fee helps queer venues stay open!
Listen to LGBTIQA+ people
Just listening is one of the most powerful tools. Not only does it teach you invaluable lessons, but it also validates other people’s experiences and makes them feel heard – which is a pretty special thing.
Express support for LGBTIQA+ people on social media
This is simple but effective. You don’t always have to shout it from the rooftops to show your love. Sometimes, liking something on Instagram, sharing a post on your story or even commenting with support and positivity is all it takes.
Ways we can better use our own social media platforms are also simple; pop your pronouns on your Instagram and LinkedIn profiles, use correct language, stand up for anti behaviour, read and share stories that are important and educational and share your experiences at queer spaces with your social media network.
I don’t know about you but queer clubs are my favourite type of clubs and I tell everyone about them all the time.
Things you can do right now:
Pop your pronouns on your Instagram profile.
Sign up to be a support worker at a queer space near you.
Go to a gay club in your hometown and boogie all night long.
Educate yourself on queer history through some of the incredible TV shows we have at our fingertips. Our favourites right now are It’s A Sin and of course, RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under.
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