June is Pride month. It is the time of the year to celebrate the achievements and recognize the struggles of the LGBTQ community from across the globe. Numerous rallies, parades, and parties are held globally where the LGBTQ people and allies dress in rainbow colors, perform, and give speeches to push for political and cultural change.
If you’re not a member of the LGBTQ community, you can express your support by being an ally. Your support and acceptance can go a long way because people from the community will feel safe and heard. To amplify LGBTQ voices as they advocate for equal rights online, use the pride flag emojis and show them that you care.
Thus, here are a few more ways to show your support to the LGBTQ community:
1. Educate Yourself
It’s not the responsibility of the LGBTQ community to educate you about their issues, history, rights, laws, policies, and culture. You have to take the time and work to understand them. Don’t expect them to educate you. Make an effort to continue learning by reading books and articles or watching documentaries and movies about the LGBTQ community. Commitment to lifelong learning is one of the most crucial things you can do to prove to them that you truly care.
2. Avoid Creating Stereotypes
One of the most significant ways to support the LGBTQ community is not stereotyping. Members of the LGBTQ community are extremely diverse and come from all walks of life and can be from any nationality, race, religion, and socioeconomic background. More so, they speak in various manners, dress differently, and express masculinity and femininity in all sorts of ways. Hence, stereotyping the entire community is not helpful at all.
3. Listen to Them
Lend an ear to those who are part of the LGBTQ community. It will make them feel their feelings are valid and there is someone who understands and loves them. Each member has different needs and experiences, so it’s best to listen first and never judge what they’re going through. It feels good when you know you can count on someone all the time, without prejudice.
4. Be Inclusive
Being a member of the LGBTQ community has plenty of challenges these days. It isn’t as LGBTQ-friendly as it could be, and it gets lonely for those who are part of it. With this, make it a point to support friends by inviting them to some events, including them in your plans, or hanging out with them. Never make them feel they’re others or keep them away from your circle just because they’re not straight.
5. Never “Out” them to anyone
Coming out is a personal choice. You don’t have the right to out someone to anyone. Let someone disclose sexual preference when they’re ready to do so. It’s not easy to come out, especially in this day and age. Discrimination and prejudice will surely haunt the person who’s not yet ready to come out. Let them do it at their own discretion, and don’t rush things. It takes time for them to let people know they’re a member of the LGBTQ community, so bear with them.
6. Show Them Respect, Empathy, and Kindness
As a person, you have to treat everyone with respect, empathy, and kindness. Be kind and respectful regardless of who you’re with or talking to. Treat everyone humanely as you want to be treated in return. You don’t have to treat them unequally because you see them differently. The members of the LGBTQ community are also humans, so they deserve to be treated fairly and without judgment.
7. Speak Up
Yet another great way to support the LGBTQ community is by speaking up. When you hear someone stereotyping, making a disparaging remark, making fun of, or using a slur to the LGBTQ people, speak up against it. Even though it is not meant for you or someone you personally know, you still have to make a stand. Be sure to let those people know what they’re doing is offensive and unjust. There will always be these kinds of people every now and then but never tolerate their poor actions. You don’t let these things slide, because they must learn their lesson and not do it again.
Takeaway
Being an LGBTQ ally can be the best way to show your support to the community. Nevertheless, you can also practice these things specified above to make the LGBTQ members feel they’re not alone in their journey. In this world full of judgmental people and discrimination, it’s hard to come out. It takes a lot of understanding, patience, and commitment to be one with this community, but it’s rewarding. Accept them wholeheartedly and be supportive of them. After all, they are like everyone else who wants to live in a better and harmonious society. Visit EmojiGuide.com for more symbolic emojis.
