Becoming an active LGBTQIA+ ally: meaningful steps you can take

Want to be an LGBTQIA+ ally but not sure where to start? Here’s a breakdown of practical steps to help you become a meaningful supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community.

What does being an ally mean?

An ally is someone who actively stands up for and supports marginalised communities. Being an LGBTQIA+ ally means advocating for fair, respectful, and equal treatment for everyone, whether they’re a close friend or a stranger. Allies are the people who offer support, take action against discrimination, and create safer spaces for others to thrive.

Why be an ally?

Everyone deserves equity, dignity, and respect. Allies are vital in promoting these values. They take a stand—even for people they don’t know—to create a safer, fairer world. Being an ally is about recognising injustice and being willing to take steps, big or small, to help right it.

How to be an ally

1. Show visible support

Start with small, visible actions to signal your support. Minus18, an Australian LGBTQIA+ youth organisation, suggests a simple step: be visible. For instance:

• Wear rainbow lanyards or pronoun pins
• Display pride posters or stickers in your workspace or home

These visible cues make an immediate statement that LGBTQIA+ individuals are welcome and supported in these spaces.

2. Be an ally online

You can extend your allyship online by including your pronouns in social media bios, email signatures, and Zoom display names. These small actions help normalise pronoun usage and demonstrate that you’re actively inclusive.

At UNE, visible support extends to ACON’s “Welcome Here Project”, which highlights areas where LGBTQIA+ people are explicitly welcomed. This project creates welcoming spaces across the UNE community and is a powerful, organisation-wide way to show allyship.

3. Practice active bystander intervention

Visibility alone isn’t enough; true allyship requires you to act when you see or hear something harmful. As an ally, you may encounter uncomfortable situations where someone makes a homophobic or prejudiced remark. Practising active bystander intervention means addressing these situations, even if subtly.

• Direct approach: If you feel comfortable, calmly call out inappropriate comments.
• Redirect: If confrontation feels overwhelming, try shifting the conversation. For example, if someone says something hurtful, change the subject. This non-confrontational response sends a message that harmful comments won’t be entertained.

Active bystander intervention can take many forms, from quiet deflection to outspoken objection. The most important part is recognising the harm and choosing not to ignore it.

4. Join the UNE Ally Network

If you’re ready to deepen your commitment, the UNE Ally Network is a supportive space for allies to connect, learn, and actively participate in creating a safe and inclusive campus. The network offers:

• Ally training to strengthen your skills
• Ongoing resources to support LGBTQIA+ friends, students, and colleagues
• Access to trained allies for questions, guidance, or concerns

To join, email allynetwork@une.edu.au with your name, role (staff or student), details of any ally training, and why you’d like to join. This network aims to foster a welcoming environment across UNE and make allyship an integral part of our community culture.

Take your first step today!

Whether it’s wearing a pride pin, stepping in as an active bystander, or joining the UNE Ally Network, your actions—big or small—can make a real difference. Showing up as an ally means taking a stand, even in subtle ways, and creating spaces where LGBTQIA+ people feel seen, safe, and supported.