6 Ways You Can Be a Better LGBTQ+ Ally
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6 Ways You Can Be a Better LGBTQ+ Ally
Being a part of a marginalized group, coming out is an incredible act of courage for LQBTQ+ people as they risk being ostracized. When somebody decides to reveal their identity, you have to understand that you are someone important to them, and they want to be genuine with you. It would mean the world to them if you accepted and supported them despite your differences.
As a heterosexual or/and a cisgender person, there are several ways to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. First of all, you should be open-minded and willing to listen and learn about the reality of the community. You also need to confront your unconscious prejudices, recognize your privilege, and stop assuming someone's identity. It is only natural that you will sometimes make mistakes, so be ready to apologize and educate yourself on the matter.
Being an LGBTQ+ ally requires education, willingness to take action, and the ability to learn from mistakes. Here are some of the ways you can show your support:
Listen to LGBTQ+ people
The LGBTQ+ community is not a monolith, and each person has their own experience to share.
You have to listen to what they have to say and try to understand the challenges LQBTQ+ people face on a daily basis. Talk with people from the LGBTQ+ community, get to know their stories, and see the world through their eyes so you can become a better ally.
Avoid making assumptions about a person's identity and ask questions if you want to know something. At the same time, remember that sexuality is not a subject of anybody's curiosity, and any question that is not strictly necessary should not be asked to anyone.
You might think that by being an ally that wants to learn, you are allowed to ask all the intimate questions about somebody's personal life. However, do not make this mistake, as doing so is downright rude, and questions about things like a double penetration vibrator should be reserved for the closest friends.
Educate Yourself
The next thing you can do to be a better LGBTQ+ ally is educating yourself. You could learn about the history of the LGBTQ+ community, the issues it faced in the past, and its current challenges. Start with reading articles and watching short documentaries that will explain everything easily and in plain words. Knowing these matters will help you understand why LGBTQ+ people have specific needs, and they might even challenge some of your previous beliefs.
If you are a parent, you must educate your children on these issues and make them understand why LGBTQ+ people are different but equal. If your child grows up in an accepting environment, they will learn to accept differences without bias.
Stand Up for LQBTQ+ Rights
A great way of showing your support is by taking action and standing up for the rights of LQBTQ+ people. If you see a person being discriminated against, speak up and defend them. Challenge prejudice at every opportunity, stand up for equal representation in media, support equal opportunities for both cisgender and transgender people, and fight against all kinds of discrimination in the workplace or elsewhere.
Remember that being an ally means standing in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and being willing to fight for its rights and freedoms within the limits of the law. You can donate money to LGBTQ+ organizations, attend their events, or support them in any other way. If you know someone who is coming out, support them by being there for them and helping them find resources.
Use Inclusive Language and Respect Somebody's Pronouns
A language is a powerful tool that is often used to maintain the status quo. If you want to be an ally, you need to stop using binary language when discussing sexuality and start using more inclusive terms. Make sure you use LGBTQ+-friendly terms like non-binary, cisgender, or non-cisgender.
When referring to someone's gender identity, use their pronouns, and do not immediately assume them based on the biological sex they present. Also, never assume that a person identifies as either gay or straight.
Don't use words that are considered slurs, avoid stereotypes, be respectful, and use inclusive language at all times.
Recognize Your Privilege
Being a member of the privileged group means that your experience is vastly different from that of LGBTQ+ people. In fact, you might never understand how it feels to be a part of a marginalized group. Remember that you will never have to worry about the things those people worry about and therefore recognize that you are in a better position. People have different experiences, and comparing yours with theirs is disrespectful.
Still, this does not mean that you should blame yourself for everything bad that happens to the community. Instead, you have to use that privilege to fight for the change in society.
Be Ready To Apologize
Being an ally is a constant process of self-education and learning. You will make mistakes, and you will unwittingly offend people. Be ready for this to happen, and always apologize if necessary. Try to learn from your mistakes, and be ready to educate yourself and other people around you. If you are not sure about something, do not make assumptions and ask questions instead.
In Conclusion
Being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community requires education, understanding, and action. You might not understand some of the things you hear, but that doesn't mean you should be dismissive. Instead, learn how to open your mind and be ready to take action.
If you know someone coming out, be there for them and help them find further help if needed. Remember that being LGBTQ+ is a part of their identity, and it should not be concealed anymore. Show your support by educating yourself, listening to their stories, standing up for equal rights, and having an open mind when it comes to other people's differences.
A Diverse Industry
Though there might still be some stereotypes attached to the gaming industry at large, there are many individuals, companies, and organizations working to ensure that this is an area that is becoming more diverse. Stereotypes firmly belong in the past – whatever you might think of in terms of a “typical” player is very far from the truth.
Nowadays, you will find a wide range of sub genres throughout the gaming industry, from AAA titles to the games available at a live casino to point and click adventures and more. With such a wide variety of titles on offer, it is little wonder that many different players are being attracted to them. You might not expect two players from different subsections of society to enjoy the same type of game, after all. Diversification of product ensures that everyone has something to play while opening the industry for new players who otherwise might struggle to find something to enjoy.
Diversity in the Workplace
Along with a diversification of players, we can also see the creation of inclusive workplaces. It is vital that this is done to create open and honest workspaces where LGBTQ+ people feel safe as they work and contribute to the company. In addition to this, this then allows the free trading of ideas.
If someone feels comfortable and accepted in their company, they will be more likely to propose ideas. In the iGaming industry, this could result in a fresh approach to a game or a new mechanic, or even the creation of something completely new. This in turn will have an effect, creating a more diverse selection of titles that will attract more to the industry and help it grow.
The Effect This Has Had
In doing so, we will see the creation of safe LGBTQ+ spaces and communities in the industry, something that will then spread to cover other areas of the sector and make it more open and welcome overall. This will then have a wider positive impact on society.
This is something that we can see already taking place in other areas of society. For example, the many LGBTQ+ dating apps we can now find on the market has helped to create these safe communities. Ideally, we will see something emulated across many other areas of society. It is something that we are beginning to see at play in the iGaming industry.
Diversity and inclusion are big parts of the iGaming industry, and it is something that the sector is actively working on improving. Though there is still a long way to go, there are many positive steps being made which will hopefully help to create a more diverse and interesting industry overall. If we wish to appeal to as wide an audience as possible, it is necessary to bring marginalized groups like the LGBTQ+ into the workplace to ensure that inclusion and diversification is carried out correctly. By ensuring that these individuals are able to make a difference within their respective roles, they will then be able to ensure this pushes forward into the rest of the industry as a whole.
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