The Power of Allyship: Fostering an Inclusive Environment

We are a country that celebrates diversity in culture, creed, and religion so vibrantly that the whole world talks about our ‘Unity in Diversity’ concept. Still, the ugliest side of our society is not accepting all genders equally. Even though legally every gender is treated respectfully, when it comes to the LGBTQIA+ community, there is still a taboo in our society. The community still struggles to live in peace and harmony.

The Preamble to the Constitution of India recognizes its residents by referring to them as “we, the people of India” without prejudice. It ensures social, economic, and political justice for all. However, it was only after a long struggle, including various movements in different parts of our nation, that ‘Transgenders’ was officially recognized as the ‘Third Gender’ in India.

The situation of the LGBTQIA+ community in India
Individuals who identify themselves as members of the LGBTQIA+ community are subjected to numerous types of oppression, including sexism, poverty, and exclusion from almost all social setups, along with homophobia and transphobia. They are often marginalized and denied access to essential resources such as medical care, educational opportunities, and legal services.

Not only this, but many children who identify themselves with the LGBTQIA+ community fear their parents’ unacceptance, which prevents them from sharing their true emotions. Due to this, they cannot have the support of their families and are restricted by constricted societal norms.

The voices of people belonging to the community in metropolitan cities are still heard through various social media platforms, but in rural areas, individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community are forced to repress their identity due to the rigid set of social and cultural norms. Sometimes, they are forced to leave their homes, making them homeless. They are deprived of their basic right to education and essential social support during the constructive years of their lives.

People belonging to the community are often given derogatory labels and made fun of, which prevents them from achieving their objective of gaining acknowledgment and becoming part of the majority rather than being socially excluded. In social setups such as educational institutions, they are referred to as the socio-economically disadvantaged groups. And, if we talk about employment opportunities, several occupations have gender limits, which makes it difficult for a transperson or any individual belonging to the queer community to attain a standard of living. As they are often looked upon as a ‘Lower Class’ by society, they are forced to take up undesirable jobs.

Hence, we need to acknowledge and respect the significance of one’s identity and self-expression.

Who is an Ally?
An ‘Ally’ is an individual who is (generally) cis-gendered and supports the LGBTQIA+ community. In simple words, an ally is someone who educates themselves about the community. They aim to contribute constant efforts in the process of building relationships based on trust, consistency, and accountability with the community, which is often marginalized.
There are several ways in which one can acknowledge and advocate for the community, but the most important thing is to help others construct a healthy perspective on the community.

How do I become a good Ally?

Acknowledging the Community
The community has, most of the time, been unrecognized and misinterpreted, due to which people are unable to recognize their true essence. Therefore, others need to surrender their gender-based stereotypes, become open-minded, and embrace the community with open arms.

Listening and understanding
An Ally should try to break down the social stigmas and construct a safe space where individuals can freely express themselves and enjoy equal opportunities. They should be able to listen and understand without any judgments or stereotypical notions. Therefore, realizing the significance of their expressions and sentiments can reduce unconscious bias as well.

Exhibiting Action
The only thing that could bridge the existing gap between the ‘society’ and the LGBTQIA+ community is human connection. By breaking social restrictions and nurturing a healthy perspective towards the community, we can contribute to the growth of society as a whole.
Moreover, the community has always been kept in isolation and portrayed in a way that is beyond what the community is really about. Thus, fostering mutual respect for the individuals belonging to the community plays a crucial role as well.

In conclusion, it can be realized that there is a dire need for us to make collective efforts to break the gender binary that has been created by society with a rigid set of social and cultural norms. We need to move from favored treatment towards equal treatment to foster inclusion. This will convert society into a safe space where every individual can thrive with the same opportunities and be acknowledged. Moreover, we must create safe spaces for individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community to thrive and feel acknowledged and at ease while discussing their emotions.