Straight Allies

Straight allies agree that one of the most effective ways to make a
difference is to challenge homophobic behaviour. They know that
this type of negative workplace culture affects everyone in an
organisation.
A joke email went round – the punch line was at the expense
of gay people. It was sent to lots of people, and everybody
was replying saying ‘That’s really funny’, and adding to what I
felt was the insult to gay people. I replied ‘I didn’t find it
funny, and in fact I found it insulting’. Included in the email
were a few gay people but it wasn’t on their behalf that I did
it. I just felt I wouldn’t find it funny to joke about being black,
being a gypsy or any kind of stereotype. It just seems cheap,
and a bit like being a bully. Martin, Graphic Designer
➜ TIP
Use personal examples to explain why
gay equality is important to you
Simply explaining to colleagues why something they’ve said is
inappropriate is often an effective way to make them think about it
and to change their behaviour.
If you feel it’s bad you should speak up – it shouldn’t be seen as
just the diversity person’s responsibility. There are very few
organisations that won’t support you in that. Personally I
wouldn’t work at a firm where I didn’t have that support.
Corey Dixon, Associate, The Parthenon Group
We’ve all been bullied at some time. Sometimes it takes that
voice to stand up. If someone’s doing something that you
don’t believe in, you should have the courage in your
convictions to say what you believe. It’s a fundamental thing
to do. You don’t want to be sheep all your life. You need to
lead as well. Martin, Graphic Designer
STRAIGHT ALLIES AT EVERY LEVEL
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