At Greenwich, we are proud to have an LGBT+ Community that is supported and celebrated together. This page hopes to inform our supporters of what the community thinks an ally should be, what kind of ally can you be and how to be a good one.
While this is informed with findings from out LGBT+ Culture in HE Research Project, the views below represent a mere interpretation of the extensive findings.
Let’s start with unpicking the perspectives of allyship that the research identified: Ever-evolving identity, Passive vs active allyship, Victimisation and Characteristics of a good ally.
Ever-evolving identity:
In simple words, our community does not hand out ‘allyship’ badges, not because we don’t appreciate allies, but because allyship is an identity that is not certifiable. To be an ally means to start the journey and stay on it, instead of looking for an end goal. An ally is someone who is consistently present, regardless of how in depth their understanding is at specific point in time. Instead, an ally is committed to develop that understanding and the support they offer the community. That leads us to the level of ‘activity’, the next perspective.
Passive vs active allies:
We now know that being an ally means you are on a journey of learning more, understanding more, and, perhaps, doing more for the community. Let’s tie in one of our university’s value: being impactful. You can be a understanding and caring member of staff concerned about the issues faced by the LGBT+ community. That would make you a passive ally. On the spectrum, if you start having an impact through your actions (see A Good ally below), you will become an active ally..
Victimisation:
Like all language and meaning, the terms “allyship” and “ally” are fluid, subject to change. Broadly, ‘ally/allyship’ point to a notion of “fighting a battle alongside”. The community continues to experience systemic discrimination and hatred from individuals. As prejudice manifests differently over time, so the definition and the role of the ally will evolve to fight for and alongside the community in response.
A Good Ally:
So far, we learned what kinds of allies we can be. Let’s have a quick run though the characteristics of what we think a good ally is. It is not intended as a complete guide on how to be a good ally, but adopting these characteristics would help inform what the community thinks of an active ally.
From A to Z, a good ally is:
- Accountable: they are proactive and consistent in their visible allyship
- Advocate: they put their skin in the game
- Caring: they care for the community and have sympathy for our causes
- Creating Safe Spaces: they respect, protect and enable honest discussions.
- Educating Others: they inform, challenge and lead the understanding of others
- Listening: they listen with interest as opposed to hearing us.
- Non-judgemental: they have no prejudice on what they don’t understand
- Supportive: they care and act with empathy
- Understanding: they value and learn from lived experiences
- Upstanding: they make use of privilege for those lacking it
- Willing to learn: they are self-criticising their knowledge to develop it
Some practical actions could be:
- Speak out about why you are committed to equality Be a mentor for gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender colleagues
- Ask your managers about what they are doing to make your team or work-environment more gay-friendly
- Don't be afraid of saying the wrong thing, just ask LGBT colleagues and friends for advice
- Help colleagues become straight allies too by coaching them on how they can make a difference
- Talk openly about your lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender friends and family at work Challenge any homophobic comments or 'banter' firmly and immediately
- If a colleagues wants to come out be clear you will support them Explain why gay equality is important to you in team meetings, inductions and supervisions
- Talk to your gay friends and colleagues about what challenges they face at work
- Make your support for gay equality public, wear your badge with pride Support the LGBT Staff Network and attend events like Pride
