Why Does Being an ITGNC and LGBQ Ally Matter?
What ITGNC Kenyans Need From Their Allies: 4 Steps You Should Take
We live in divisive times, which is why it is more important than ever to put our differences aside, advocate for each other’s basic human rights and become better allies. For the LGBTQ community, an ally is a straight and/or cisgender person who supports and advocates for LGBTQ people and works to uplift and strengthen the community.
Why Does Being an ITGNC and LGBQ Ally Matter?
Allyship is vital to social justice and activism. Technically speaking, an ally is an individual or a dominant group who recognizes that their privilege is unearned and advocates for those who don’t have that privilege.
LGBTIQ allyship is important because it can help:
Create a more inclusive and understanding environment for the LGBTIQ community
Increase knowledge and awareness
Lower rates of hate crimes against people in the LGBTIQ community
The movement gain traction and advance LGBTIQ rights
If we want to live in a world where people are accepted without exception, then we all need to be part of the solution. By being a well-informed ally of the LGBTIQ community, you’ll have many opportunities to change the hearts and minds of people around you.
4 Ways to be a Better Ally to the Kenyan LGBTIQ Community
In Kenya and around the world, hate crimes against LGBTIQ people is on the rise and it can be difficult for members of this community to fully be themselves at work, at home, or even in their local communities. That’s why being an ally to the community is so important.
Here are 4 steps you can take to become a better ally to the Kenyan LGBTIQ community:
Educate Yourself
A great place to start becoming an ally to the LGBTIQ community is by doing some research and learning a little bit more about the issues such individuals face. Take the time to confront your own assumptions, prejudices, and biases and familiarize yourself with:
Important laws
Policies
Proper use of inclusive language
Understanding of the community’s history
Make sure to share this knowledge with others because as an ally, you have the power to affect social change by educating and teaching others what you know.
Be Visible and Unafraid to Challenge
If you are going to be an ally for the LGBTIQ community, then you must be loud, visible, and proud to be part of this campaign. When you hear people using negative, hurtful, or abusive language towards the community, challenge it if it is safe to do so.
Here are some things to consider:
If the abuse is taking place online, report it.
Keep calm and explain why such negative stereotypes are wrong
Make sure you stay safe and don’t put yourself in danger
Check that the person being targeted is okay
While you may not have all the answers or always know the right thing to say, always take the opportunity when you can to help educate those around you on the negative impact of stereotypes and bullying against the LGBTIQ community.
Always Take Time to Listen
As allies, we must always be able to listen, ask how someone is doing, and be aware that other peoples’ lives and experiences will be completely different from our own, especially in terms of discrimination and prejudice.
Listen to LGBTIQ Voices and Validate Them
Always be respectful of each other and enjoy learning about the differences and diversity in the communities around you. There are countless different views and needs within the LGBTIQ community and being an ally will look different for each person. Always try to listen to and affirm what someone is saying.
Work to Influence Others
As an ally to the LGBTIQ community, you must think about the opportunities you have to share the message. Whether it’s in conversation with family, friends, or colleagues, organizing a ‘lunch and learn’ at work, or even handing out posters. Use the platforms you have to amplify the voices of the community and share other peoples stories.
Being a Good LGBTIQ Ally is A Journey Worth Taking
Learning to be a good ally is a journey of change and growth that will come by exploring sexual and gender identity issues, homophobia, transphobia, and other issues of difference. This can be a painful, enlightening, and exciting process and will help you understand yourself better.
By learning and speaking out as an LGBTIQ ally, you’ll be making the world a safer and more affirming place for all. Without knowing it, you may change, or even save, some peoples’ lives.
Become Part of the Jinsiangu Family
At Jinsiangu, we strive to create safe spaces for the existence of Intersex, Transgender, and Gender Non-Conforming (ITGNC) individuals. To find out more about our support services, or to enquire about how you can help with our mission, call us at 0700-423-343/0711-300-343. Alternatively, you can email us at jinsiangu@gmail.com.
POST CREDITS: IMAN VERJEE