What is Pride?
Pride is held every June in the UK with events taking place in cities across the country and marks a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The first pride march took place on 1 July 1972 and was influenced by the Stonewall Riots that took place in New York in 1969. Since the 70s, Pride has grown in size and the celebration of the community will mean different things to different people.
How to be an LGBTQIA+ Ally?
If you’re not a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, you can be an ally for members of the community and offer support. We have created a resource to help you be the best ally for your friends, team-mates or peers.
To be an ally, we advise that you should:
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Listening is a vital skill of an ally. It’s important to ensure that LGBTQIA+ people feel heard but it’s also important for you to understand key language and themes of content from LGBTQIA+ individuals.
It’s really important that you respect and listen to how an LGBTQIA+ person describes themselves. Do not apply labels to a person without them telling you.
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Understanding the history and current topics for the LGBTQIA+ community will allow you to provide support for others.
Understand that language and terminology evolves. Don’t worry about having to ask questions or research any topics you don’t know or understand.
Learn about pronouns: what they are, why they matter and how you can be an ally by introducing yourself with your pronouns.
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If someone has taken you into their confidence about who they are then it is important that you respect that and their privacy. Don’t assume that they have told everyone. You should never out someone to other people.
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Avoid using gendered language where assumptions are implied, e.g. instead of asking someone about their girlfriend/boyfriend or husband/wife, ask about their partner.
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Always call out homophobic, biphobic or transphobic comments or jokes.
If you hear any language or see any behaviour you are uncomfortable with at your club speak to your Welfare Officer or club Chair.
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Mistakes happen! It’s important that you apologise and are willing to listen to how to move on. Everyone is always learning and being respectful when a mistake is made is key.
