Gender and sexuality are so fluid. It’s OK to change your mind a million times and figure out what works for you. It’s OK to take your time.
June is frequently considered to be the Pride month. But what does that actually mean? This movement promotes celebrating one another’s uniqueness while fighting for equal rights among members of the LGBTQ community as well as their friends and families.
It’s time for people to “loud and proudly” embrace their gender identity and sexual orientation. So, To feel accepted and appreciated by the non-LGBTQ population as a whole, LGBTQ people should take part in Pride celebrations.
- Describe an ally:
- How can you make your LGBTQ+ friends feel good
- 1. Discover for yourself about your lgbtq friends
- 2. Do not accept being cisgender and straight as the norm.
- 3. When they’re prepared, let them come out.
- 4. Eliminate stereotypes about lgbtq
- 5. Never divulge them to anyone else.
- 6. Never refer to them as “my LGBTQ friend.”
- 7. Include all parties
- 8. Talk up
- 9. Offer to tell your friends and family.
- 10. Be frank in discussing your alliance.
Describe an ally:
Many fervent supporters do not self-identify as LGBTQ, despite this. They promote equal rights for the LGBTQ community. What they are, allies.
An ally is a loyal friend or family member who supports you, especially in tough circumstances. It’s like having someone stand up for a bullied friend.
How can you make your LGBTQ+ friends feel good
So, Here are some ways below which will definitely help you to make your LGBTQ+ friends feel good wherever you are with them
1. Discover for yourself about your lgbtq friends
You shouldn’t expect your loved ones to be your teachers. So, You may show them that you care about them. You can do it by taking the time to learn about them and the things they are passionate about. Numerous resources are accessible, including videos, documentaries, books, articles, guidelines from LGBTQ NGOs, and books.
You’ll be a more powerful ally if you know more about LGBTQ history, culture, and activism. Making an effort to continue learning is one of the most important things you can do as you become older.
Read Also: Bisexual Pride Day: Facts And Awareness
2. Do not accept being cisgender and straight as the norm.
Reframing your perspective on the world may require unlearning some expectations or presumptions as part of the education process. According to estimates from Gallup and The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law, only 4.5 percent of the population self-identifies as LGBT. Nevertheless, treating everyone you come into contact with as though they are straight and cisgender (someone whose gender identification coincides with the sex assigned to them at birth) can be humiliating and bothering to LGBTQ individuals.
You can help normalise sexual orientations or gender identities other than your own by practising inclusive language. And refraining from using pronouns like “girlfriend” or “you guys.”
3. When they’re prepared, let them come out.
Helping others is one of the many ways to be a better friend. Supporting LGBTQ people in your life means letting them come out at their own speed. If you suspect someone you know or love is LGBTQ, don’t confront, interrogate, or exert pressure on them. Because it’s all about you, you might assume that they don’t respect or trust you.
However, according to the Human Rights Council. It’s possible that people are just unprepared, don’t feel safe, or are still coming to terms with their own sexuality or gender identity.
See Also: 10 LGBTQ Flags (Pride Flags) and meaning
4. Eliminate stereotypes about lgbtq
It’s crucial to cease stereotyping in order to help the LGBTQ community; you undoubtedly learned this lesson from your parents. Just because someone comes out to you doesn’t mean they immediately start acting like a stereotypical character from a popular TV show or movie. Contrary to popular belief, LGBTQ persons are immensely diverse; they come from all walks of life and might be of any race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, or socioeconomic status.
In addition, they exhibit femininity and masculinity in a number of ways that aren’t often connected to their sexual orientation or gender identity, like by clothing differently, speaking differently, and acting differently.
Leader’s Tip
Educate themselves on the difficulties facing the LGBTQ+ community so that they can better understand and encourage their peers who identify as such.
5. Never divulge them to anyone else.
It’s personal, and coming out might be very dangerous. Prejudice and discrimination against LGBTQ people, both legal and criminal, are still widespread. If someone’s gender identity or sexual orientation is exposed or implied, their safety, including their physical safety, may be at jeopardy. Allow your loved one to emerge whatever they choose.
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6. Never refer to them as “my LGBTQ friend.”
Even while it is a component of who they are, sexual orientation is only one aspect of who they are. They should be far more than just “my asexual friend” or “my trans friend” to you. Don’t let it define them in terms of you. Accepting and loving individuals for who they are is a great way to form friendships that stand the test of time.
7. Include all parties
Living in a society that isn’t as supportive of LGBTQ people as it should be can be isolating. To demonstrate your support, be sure to include your LGBTQ friends in your plans. Invite them to meet your family, or simply hang out with them. Don’t give them the appearance that you are trying to hide or exclude them from your social circle.
Include the partner of your LGBT loved one in events and activities just like you would with any other spouse or close companion.
“Love demands expression. It will not stay still, stay silent, be good, be modest, be seen and not heard, no. It will break out in tongues of praise, the high note that smashes the glass and spills the liquid.”
8. Talk up
Being a good friend or family member includes standing behind your LGBTQ friends. You should speak up if you hear someone using a slur, making a disparaging remark, or telling a joke that mocks LGBTQ people, even if it isn’t intended at your loved one or they aren’t there. Tell people you find it objectionable by being explicit about it.
Leader’s Tip
Speak up for it and support it: Advocate for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, speak out against prejudice, and foster an inclusive environment in your personal and professional networks.
9. Offer to tell your friends and family.
Some of your friends or relatives might not be as accepting or understanding of LGBTQ issues as you would like them to be. They may even harbour prejudice and practise open discrimination against LGBTQ people. You can decide to engage in challenging but potentially useful conversations even though it seems too risky.
PFLAG advises that in order to have these difficult conversations, you should choose a suitable time and location, demonstrate your capacity to remain composed, and approach the subject without making any assumptions. The individual who offended you might not be aware of how hurtful their words or actions were.
You might have friends and family members who are not as pro-LGBTQ as you would like them to be because awareness of sexuality and gender is still mostly limited and prejudice is rampant. Do not ignore this or cut the conversation short. You want to reach out to the people you care about because change begins at home.
10. Be frank in discussing your alliance.
Don’t confine your activism to the dining room or your social circle. Try to promote LGBTQ people or talk about your participation in LGBTQ activities in places like church or the workplace, however doing so may carry its own set of risks. This can help to normalise the conversation about and support for LGBTQ people and issues. Furthermore, this action might inspire others to express their opinions or become more involved.
“We should indeed keep calm in the face of difference, and live our lives in a state of inclusion and wonder at the diversity of humanity.”
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs):
How can I become more approachable to LGBTQ+ individuals?
Show that you are at ease discussing issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. Consider the assumptions you make about other people and try not to assume that they are all straight, have a partner who is a different gender, etc. Make an effort to speak in an inclusive manner, for as by refraining from using pronouns that presume the gender of a person’s partner or friends. Confront those who make homophobic jokes or statements to set an example. Learn more about issues affecting LGBTQA+ people by reading books and going to events hosted by LGBTQA+ organisations.
How can I help if someone needs advise on what to say to friends or family about being LGBTQA+?
Keep in mind that each person must make their own decisions on when and to whom they will disclose their sexual orientation and gender identity. Don’t direct someone to take any specific action since they might hold you accountable if it doesn’t work out. Do pay close attention, consider the worries and emotions you hear expressed, and provide suggestions for any accessible sources of support. Encourage the person to consider all of the implications of coming out. Even if you disagree with the person’s choice, you should nevertheless support it and inquire about the results of any action taken.
Key Takeaways
- Use preferred names and pronouns and don’t make assumptions about someone’s gender or sexual orientation.
- Encourage honest discussion, pay close attention, and make it possible for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities to feel comfortable talking to one another.
- Embrace and celebrate the wide range of LGBTQ+ identities, cultural practises, and societal achievements to promote a sense of community and acceptance.