8 ways to up your allyship with Minus18.

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Being a teen can be tough. You’re navigating life changes, body changes, identity changes – all in a world that doesn’t stop changing. And for LGBTQIA+ teens, things are even tougher: two in three LGBTQIA+ youth experience abuse for who they are. The good news is, there are things you can do to help create positive change in these young people’s lives. 

Rebecca Herft, Partnerships Team Lead at Minus18, says their recent survey of queer youth showed that 86 per cent of LGBTQIA+ young people felt safer and more like they belong when they see someone purposefully wearing rainbow or ally accessories like a badge or lanyard.

‘Young LGBTQIA+ people face disproportionate rates of discrimination and isolation, simply for being who they are,’ she says.

‘Our recent Queer Youth Now national survey found that 89 per cent have experienced anti-LGBTQIA+ hate – 57 per cent in the past year alone. But what also came through loud and clear was the power of support from friends.

‘Whether it's using inclusive language, calling in homophobic behaviour in the workplace, or pushing for safer policies, your support sends a powerful message: that you belong. When organisations like ME Bank take an active role in inclusion, it creates a ripple effect that genuinely changes lives.’

Aside from upping your rainbow accessories or learning how to speak up against homophobia in the workplace, here are eight more ways you can be a better ally.

1. Listen and learn.

Get to know more about gender identities, sexualities and experiences of queer people. Don’t place the ownership on LGBTQIA+ people to educate you. There are plenty of resources available: for example, Minus18 offers e-learning training, while the International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination (IDAHOBIT) site shares experiences of queer people and what allyship means to them.

And if you are fortunate enough to know LGBTQIA+ people who want to share their story, listen respectfully and learn from their lived experience.

2. Level-up your language.

Get gendered language out of your vocabulary and stick to gender neutral terms to build an inclusive environment. Avoid assumptions about people’s sexuality and gender by using terms like ‘partner’ or ‘spouse’ instead of ‘wife’ or ‘boyfriend’. Listen out for when people use their preferred terms and follow their lead. Avoid greetings like ‘ladies and gentlemen’ or ‘hey, guys’ and opt for something more inclusive, like ‘distinguished guests’ or ‘hey, friends’.

3. Loud and proud pronouns.

When people share their pronouns, use them! Ensure you create a safe space for gender diverse people to use their pronouns by providing opportunities to share. Include your own pronouns in things like signature blocks, social media bios, name tags and more – this signals that you’ll respect other people’s pronouns too. IDAHOBIT has a great guide on pronouns that you can point people to if you get questions.

4. Ramp up the rainbow.

Due to discrimination, many LGBTQIA+ people assume a person or space isn’t safe until they’re shown otherwise. Visible cues such as rainbow lanyards, clothing or pride pins, let people know you’re a supportive person. 

Different rainbow configurations mean different things – for example, the addition of the blue, pink and white stripes specifically celebrate trans people. Try to be as inclusive as possible.

5. Handling harmful behaviour.

If you witness behaviour that hurts the LGBTQIA+ community, try to start a conversation – if it feels safe to do so – that ‘calls in’ rather than ‘calls out’. Invite people to understand why their language or actions are inappropriate and the ways they might make queer people feel. If someone else is speaking up, add your voice to show your support and let them know they’re not alone.

6. Be an active ally.

Don’t just talk the talk, but get involved in events like Wear it Purple Day, Pride Month, or Trans Awareness Week. If you don’t know of an event in your workplace or community, initiate one. Listen to members of the LGBTQIA+ community about what they need and how you can help. Choose from the many great causes and non-profits to fundraise for or put your focus into raising awareness and making a safe space where people can celebrate who they are.

7. Push for progressive policies that support LGBTQIA+ people.

While there’s been progress in achieving equality and ending discrimination, there is lots more to be done. Be it in your workplace or broader politics, champion policies that support LGBTQIA+ people. This can include policies on leave for gender-affirming care, improving accessibility to IVF or lobbying for more gender options in surveys like the census.

8. Pick businesses that partner with queer communities.

Whether you're supporting LGBTQIA+ owned businesses or choosing services that donate to LGBTQIA+ organisations, your spending can make a positive impact. For example, the rainbow SpendME card supports Minus18 every time you use your digital card to make a transaction. You pay + ME donates = turning small change into something big.

‘At Minus18, we believe allyship isn’t just about wearing a rainbow during key days of significance, it’s about everyday actions that make young people feel seen, safe, and celebrated,’ says Rebecca.

It’s also important to remember that being an ally is a learning process. Nobody is perfect, and it’s better to try and fall short than avoid allyship all together. Keep educating yourself and keep seeking opportunities to get involved. The world’s a brighter place when we get to be our true selves and you can help shift away the shadows just by showing your support.

Pay it forward with a SpendME account. 

Ready to up your allyship? You can help the work that Minus18 does when you choose ME’s rainbow debit card and make any purchases using your digital wallet. SpendME is the account that’s Making money good. 

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