How to be a better ally at work (and in life) …

Allyship is the force of good that fosters an inclusive culture. A culture where everyone feels comfortable in bringing their authentic selves to work, every day. Historically in our workplaces, majority of LGBTQ people preferred to keep their identity under wrap in fear of discrimination. ?

But things are changing. And you as an ally can play a crucial part in making this change gather momentum, ?

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As an ally, you can use your privilege (more on privilege later) and help promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging throughout your organization and the society at large. ?

Allyship is not a single action. It is an ongoing action, with a focus on other people, not on yourself.?

But where do I start? I am glad that you asked. ?

Understand Your Privilege ?

Privilege has nothing to do with your job title or economic status. Privilege simply refers to the advantages and benefits that come with belonging to certain social groups, such as being male or cisgender. ?

For example, there are challenges that you don’t have to experience in your life just because you’re a cisgender person. There’s nothing wrong with that. Just be aware of your privilege and use it to help someone who might not have the same privilege as you. ?

Educate Yourself?

A crucial step towards being a better ally is to educate yourself on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Often, we tend to rely on our lived experience to understand something.

Though this approach sounds intuitive, it’s mostly not true. Though you live and use it every day, you may not completely understand the technology and functioning of an e-mail or a car engine. Similarly, you do not need to have lived experience to understand the issues faced by LGBTQ people.

There is plenty of literature out there that will help you understand various aspects of inclusivity. A good place to start will be to access any material published by your organization.??

Speak Up?

Just having good intentions is not enough. Speak up when required and use your voice to promote equity and inclusion. As an ally, you have the power to amplify the voices of the marginalized and bring attention to the issues they face. This involves speaking up in meetings, advocating for diversity and inclusion initiatives, and sharing the stories and experiences of marginalized individuals with others.?

?Use your voice to counter microaggression. Microaggression is a subtle form of discrimination that can be harmful to marginalized individuals. As an ally, try to recognize these behaviors and speak out against them. This involves challenging offensive jokes, comments, or anything hateful/ignorant.??

Understand that by being silent you are not being polite; instead, you are allowing oppression to continue. ?

Take Action?

Grab every opportunity to act. Show your support towards diversity and inclusion efforts by volunteering for diversity groups, mentoring marginalized employees, and promoting positive change within the company.?

Even the smallest of actions matter as they have the power to add up to big changes. For example, I make it a point to display my pronouns in my LinkedIn and have an ally badge displayed on my laptop bag. These small actions have sparked conversations with my friends and colleagues and spread a bit of awareness.?

Use Inclusive Language & Apologize When You Make a Mistake ?

Language matters as it shapes your thinking. Get in the habit of using inclusive language. ?

For example, I switched to using “them” instead of “he/she” when I am not sure about the gender of the subject and started using “folks” instead of “guys” when addressing a group of people. It is not easy to shed the habit of using gender-specific language reinforced over the years. However, being aware of the intent will help you to develop a gender-neutral style over time. ?

A lot of people stay away from showing support to LGBTQ people because they are afraid of making mistakes. However, it is completely fine to make mistakes while venturing into unfamiliar territory. Seek feedback and make a genuine effort to learn from your mistakes.

Apologize promptly whenever you realize that you have made a mistake. Being open to feedback and criticism is essential to growth and improvement as an ally. By actively seeking out feedback from marginalized colleagues and being receptive to their critiques, you can learn from your mistakes and work towards becoming a better ally.?

In summary, you can start your journey to become a better ally by understanding your privilege educating yourself, speaking up, acting, using inclusive language, and apologizing when you falter.

By following these steps and committing to continuous learning and improvement, you can play a vital role in fostering an inclusive workplace culture where everyone feels valued and supported. ?

Do join me in showing your support for LGBTQ people and making the world an inclusive place. ?

Happy Pride Month! ?

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The opinions provided are those of the author, and not necessarily those of Delta Tech Hub (DTH).