IDAHOBIT: How to be an ally every day of the year

Celebrated each year, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex discrimination and Transphobia commemorates the World Health Organization's decision to declassify homosexuality as a disease, evolving into a global celebration of LGBTIQA+ people.

Today, IDAHOBIT retains its original goal: acknowledging progress and highlighting ongoing discrimination against people of diverse sexualities and genders.

In Australia, bullying, harassment and discrimination are a reality, with disturbing statistics including 68% of LGBTIQA+ employees hiding their identity at work and 35% experiencing verbal abuse recently.

How to be an ally and support LGBTIQA+ communities

• Challenge discrimination: Safely call out harmful jokes or stereotypes. Visibility in allyship is crucial.
• Respect pronouns: Always ask if unsure, correct mistakes and consider sharing your own pronouns.
• Educate yourself: Learn about LGBTIQA+ history and issues, especially local activism.
• Create welcoming spaces: Use inclusive symbols like rainbow or Progress Pride Flags and participate in initiatives like the Welcome Here project.
• Join networks: Connect with workplace LGBTIQA+ and ally groups.
• Celebrate diversity: Observe days like IDAHOBIT, Wear it Purple Day, and Trans Day of Visibility.
• Champion intersectionality: Support equality across different identities, including race, gender, and sexuality.

Lifelong learning and advocacy

Becoming an ally is an ongoing journey requiring continuous education and advocacy.

Minus18, an organisation to help improve the lives of young people of diverse sexualities and genders, has resources available if you'd like to become an ally.

Being an ally involves recognising the unique challenges faced by transgender individuals, who often encounter stigma, discrimination and lack of acceptance, significantly impacting their mental health.

Allyship is not merely a label but a committed, ongoing process of support and advocacy for LGBTIQA+ rights and well-being, requiring active participation and learning.

You might also want to check out our other article about being a trans ally.

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