Khanh Ong

AUTHOUR AND RESTAURANT OWNER

A day against discrimination is so important even in 2021, as visibility, education and understanding is now more paramount than it ever was before...and there is still more work to be done for equality.

We all have a voice and, no matter how loud or quiet, your voice matters. I believe I have been given a platform to be a representative of our community, and I choose to use that platform to be an ally, and to have my voice be heard. Allies facilitate understanding – whether it’s pulling friends up on casual discrimination or listening, learning and educating others.

Benjamin Law

AUSTRALIAN WRITER AND BROADCASTER

An LGBTQIA+ Ally is someone who steps up and shows up. As a cisgender gay dude, I recognise that not all people in the LGBTIQA+ spectrum face the same set of issues or experience the same level of prejudice. It’s about standing up against the sexism lesbian pals face, ensuring bisexual and asexual people aren’t erased from the picture or conversation, protecting our trans siblings from discrimination, and educating people about intersex folks and conditions.

To take action - volunteer in your community, get involved in IDAHOBIT. And in your friendship groups, ask how you can help. I believe if you’re in a position to donate time or money, you should.

Tanya Deans

PRESIDENT OF HANES AUSTRALASIA

Any day that shines a light on the lived experience of those around us is incredibly important and helping to keep these conversations in the public eye.

A true ally is always learning. As a leader, there is no shame in seeking to understand or admitting you don’t know it all.

On a personal level and at my career stage, I think a lot about how to lead by example and leave a powerful legacy. It’s not enough for me to leave it to my younger colleagues. I need to champion that inclusivity and demonstrate my desire to learn.

Frances Cannon

QUEER ARTIST

I think the tip top quality in an LGBTQIA+ ally is not just being there during the fun times. Show up during the hard times too! Go to protests. Hire and pay queer people. Be a 24/7, 365 days-a-year supporter of queer communities, not just when there are cute parades and parties.

I’m an ally to the greater LGBTQIA+ community by shutting up and listening to people who are more marginalised than me. Black, indigenous and POC queer folk, queer people with disabilities, trans people. I’m an ally by realising that the troubles I face as a gay woman are not the be-all and end-all of queer struggle.

Social media is a great tool to connect with and learn from the wider queer community, and not just the Fab Five! Follow and share work of queer artists, creatives, activists and local drag artists, and listen to the incredible knowledge that they share.

Cody McConnell

CONTENT CREATOR AND LGBTQIA+ ADVOCATE

Never assume you know everything about other people’s experiences. Even within the trans community, my experience as a binary trans man is very different to the next person or somebody who is non-binary. I combat this by listening and learning, and educating myself on issues faced by different parts of the LGBTQIA+ community through social media, and through friends.

If there is a topic that you wish to become more familiar with, Google is your best friend.

As LGBTQIA+ issues become more and more prominent in mainstream media, it is now especially important to protect vulnerable people in the community – being visible comes with its own set of challenges. IDAHOBIT is a reminder that we are human too, not merely a concept up for debate.

Ro Allen

VICTORIAN COMMISSIONER FOR GENDER & SEXUALITY

A good ally not only makes sure they don’t speak for the people they are standing up for, where possible, they create opportunities for people’s own voices to be heard and they move aside so that LGBTQIA people can speak our own truths.

It’s hugely important for us to all to be allies across the other letters of the rainbow alphabet. As an ally to others, it’s my job to inform myself, and never to speak on behalf of, for example, people with an intersex variation, or Aboriginal people. It’s absolutely my job to stand in solidarity with them.

Get on the Minus18 website and look at their excellent resources. Watch the top-quality videos and school yourselves. There’s no excuse for making your LGBTQIA+ friend, relative or co-worker your source of education.

Samantha Andrew

CONTENT CREATOR AND LGBTQIA+ ADVOCATE

Whilst I think as a nation we are progressively getting better at protecting and championing queer folk, we still have a long road ahead of us before the LGBTQIA+ community feels equal and undeniably safe in society.

I aim as much as possible to be visible in a proud and joyous way. When we think of queer representation and allyship, sometimes we get bulked down by the negatives. I try as much as possible (and I recognise my privilege in this statement) to show my queer relationship online in an ‘everyday’ and ‘happy’ way. If this conveys to one teenager across a screen struggling with their identity, then it is all worth it. If they see that I am queer and happy, I hope they feel like they can be too.

If there is someone in your life that is in the LGBTQIA+ community, talk to them! There’s no harm in admitting that you are ‘trying to learn’. IDAHOBIT is a day to reflect on how far we have come, and acknowledge how far we still have to go.

Micah Scott

LGBTQIA+ ADVOCATE

An LGBTQIA+ ally is someone who takes action. It’s not enough to feel like a supportive person, you need to put that support into practice.

If you’re starting out, the best thing you can do is read up on resources and information online. Getting to understand what it means to be LGBTQIA+, learning about pronouns, and all the incredible identities in our community. Getting involed in IDAHOBIT is such a great way to show support, and help others understand what discrimination looks like.

May 17 will look a bit different this year. Normally I would head into the city to hand out rainbow ribbons and promote the day - but this year I’ll be hosting a virtual rainbow flag raising ceremony with my team. I’ll be using IDAHOBIT to share as much information and education as I can.

AJ Clementine

CONTENT CREATOR AND MODEL

For me, the top qualities in a good LGBTQIA+ ally is someone who understands the power of listening, someone who provides love and support, and someone who simply treats people how they would like to be treated.

I personally focus on creating content that aims to shine a light on the topics that aren’t talked about enough. I do this for the LGBTQIA+ (and asian) community, through sharing my experiences which I believe create positive change and visibility.

You can let somebody know that you support them in little ways - by following them, engaging with their content or simply giving them a compliment in person. You have the ability to lift someone up, so give it a go.

On May 17 I'll be making many Tiktoks!! Particularly addressing and shutting down the phobias towards the LGBTQIA+ community.