How To Be A Better Ally To The Queer Community?

The word ally is used to describe someone that supports minorities and disenfranchised groups and India's queer community really need some genuine allies. Not being hateful is not enough, being an ally means being speaking up about discrimination. For the LGBTQ+ community, a person that is cisgender and/or heterosexual and stands up for LGBTQ+ rights and representation is an ally. Allies come together in order to amplify queer voices and uplift the community. There is no set way to be an ally. But here is what queer people suggest one should do to become a better ally.

1. Recognise Your Privilege

To become a better ally, one must understand the inherent privilege that comes with being cisgender and heterosexual. While it may be uncomfortable to hear about privilege, learning about the systemic oppression that still exists is the first step.

As 17-year-old Anila states, “Getting defensive about your privilege never leads to anything productive. Accepting it and using your privilege to help others has value.”

2. Do Your Own Research

Educating yourself on the issues that plague the queer community is something everyone should do. Even consuming queer content such as movies, book and TV shows counts as educating yourself. Just make sure that the it has been created by queer people.

One should also stay up to date with politics and news related to the queer community in their country. When someone isn’t up to date, they might start believing that the situation is better than it truly is.

For example, I was talking to some friends and four of them believed that gay marriage was legal in India. When I said “No, gay marriage still isn’t legal,” they insisted that it was until they looked it up. This brings me to my third point, listen to what queer people say.

3. Listen To Queer Voices

20-year-old Shubhash says “I think people need to start actively listening to what queer people are saying. Try to understand our experience, walk a mile in our shoes.”

Listening to queer voices and not interjecting or imposing your own views is the bare minimum. The queer community are directly affected by certain policies, representation in media, comments made by celebrities, etc. That is why it is imperative to listen to what queer people have to say. They know what repercussions seemingly positive policies can have on the queer community.

4. Speak Out

I have several friends who would see me freeze after someone made a homophobic comment, and then would defend the queer community without outing me. I have also known several people who wouldn’t be homophobic, but would have homophobic friends. It baffles me to this day that someone can call themselves an ally while having homophobic friends.

The friends I mentioned weren’t activists, they were just children like me. But they knew what they should do in that situation. Being a good ally isn’t difficult, it just requires good intentions and some common sense.

5. Be Inclusive

Gayatri, 16 years of age believes that “Being an ally means you have to be an ally to every member of the LGBTQ+ community. You can’t exclude trans people, or discriminate on the basis of religion or caste. Just be inclusive.”

The queer community is vast and nuanced, use correct terminology and be respectful of pronouns.

But most importantly, be open-minded. The queer community shouldn’t have any place for discrimination or hatred.

6. Donate To Organisations

27-year-old Rakhi* said that donating to organisations is important because “social activism helps change the mindset of people, but helping NGOs by donating to them helps the less fortunate members of the queer community.”

Donate to non-profit organisations that focus on providing support and uplifting the queer community. Such NGOs are listed below-

• Humsafar Trust is one of the largest and most active NGO that focuses on the queer community. It provides counselling, advocacy, and healthcare to the LGBTQ+ community.
• Nazariya: A Queer Feminist Resource Group is an NGO that has organised seminars, provides counselling, and advocacy to affirm rights.
• Udaan Trust is the first HIV/AIDS organisation founded by queer people living with HIV/AIDS. This organisation focuses on issues of sexual health within the homosexual and transgender communities.

True allies cannot be performative or passive. Allies must have an active investment and involvement in the betterment of LGBTQ+ people. Their stance on queer rights should be clear and they should take a step back and put the spotlight on queer voices.

*We have changed the name to protect the identity of the mentioned people.

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