Supporting the LGBTQIA community can help create  safe spaces and ensure that their rights are recognised and respected. Being a better LGBTQIA ally online can help bring awareness to the challenges faced by this community and hopefully bring about a positive change. Here’s how you can use your online platforms to be an even better LGBTQIA ally.

Support online activists and organisations

Your support online can make a difference. Get involved by sharing posts from LGBTQIA activists with your friends and family. Ask questions and take part in discussions to help bring awareness and keep yourself informed.

Be vocal

Following LGBTQIA activists and organisations online is great, but it’s even better to be vocal about it. Let people know that you support the LGBTQIA community and that you won’t tolerate any discrimination against members of this community.

Be mindful of what you share online

It’s easy to share something that’s considered ‘funny’ without thinking about whether this is offensive to someone. The truth is, we can’t share humour at the expense of someone’s humanity or identity, Choma – it’s harmful and needs to stop.

Raise awareness about pronouns

Educate your followers about pronouns and how it’s not okay to use certain pronouns when referring to someone because they look a certain way. There are many different gender identities and we should always ask people what they’d like to be called, and respect that.

Start/join conversations

Encourage constructive and meaningful conversations around gender, identity and what it means to be an ally on your social media. This way, you and your friends can be educated on issues surrounding the LGBTQIA community. You can also be a part of my #DoneWithSilence initiative and encourage people to speak up about discrimination and ending gender stereotypes.

Using your social media pages to support marginalised groups like the LGBTQIA community is a good thing. It shows that you care about promoting awareness about their rights and issues. Just remember to do this in a way that’s kind, sensitive and considerate.

If you or a friend need advice or help, you can contact me here on Ask Choma, send me a Facebook Message, a Twitter DM, or a WhatsApp Message (071 172 3657).