As we near the end of Pride Month 2021, we are reflecting on what the whole industry can do to educate itself on the key issues facing the LGBTQ+ community. 

Based around the key values of compassion, celebration, education and unity, at Crystal, the business has been performing activities with all employees and discussing the steps towards better allyship. 

Sitting within our Health & Wellbeing Campaign, we know it is imperative how we, as individuals and as a business, can become better allies and why it’s so important to vocalise our support and we urge others to do the same.

What is an ally? 

An ally is typically a cisgendered heterosexual person who supports LGBTQ+ rights and culture and challenges discrimination and bias against LGBTQ+ people. 

Why is it important? 

For many people, when revealing their sexual or gender identity to colleagues it is like coming out all over again. It can be a big step with fears of rejection, ridicule, or even being overlooked for promotions by line managers, all causing anxiety and stress. 

Having allies in the workplace means people can feel safe to be themselves and know they will be supported. 

How to become better allies 

There are eight core actions that every person and business can actively own to be the best possible ally. 

Actively listen to LGBTQ+ concerns and experiences and provide a safe space and a platform for those voices to speak up and be listened to. 

Be open-minded, sexuality and gender all operate on a spectrum which includes many variations, so it’s important to be open-minded about people’s preferences and beliefs. 

Create safe spaces to talk. If it feels suitable to do so, engage in dialogue with LGBTQ+ colleagues to discuss challenges and how you can support and how they identify themselves. Through honest and sincere communication we can continually grow and become better allies. 

Use inclusive language by opting for gender neutral terms, such as ‘everyone’ instead of ‘guys’, for example. It’s important to be sensitive to people’s requests regarding pronouns. 

Educate yourselves on the issues, actively learn about the issues LGBTQ+ community are facing globally. Discrimination, violence and denied access to employment, education and healthcare are still prevalent. Find a number of trusted sources and follow them on social media to keep up to date. 

Speak up! The word ‘ally’ is both a noun and a verb which implies action. If you see or hear something that is inappropriate or discriminatory you should speak up. It is everyone’s job to make everyone feel included and safe. 

Think about and acknowledge everyday bias that may exist for LGBTQ+ people in your environments and how you can help combat it. 

And believe in equal rights. LGBTQ+ issues are human rights issues so if you believe everyone should be treated as equals you are an LGBTQ+ ally. 

Standing together 

As part of our ongoing Health & Wellbeing Campaign, we kicked off activity on Wellbeing Wednesdays, highlighting the importance of increased funding for LGBTQ+ mental health support and raising the unique pressures that some in the community may be facing.  

In the following weeks, we celebrated pioneering LGBTQ+ figures throughout history and created our very own ‘culture club’ where the team delved into the importance of progressive LGBTQ+ storytelling.  

Exploring key issues of representation, not only so the community’s experiences are portrayed accurately, but also as a platform for activism that can tackle stereotypes and stigma.     

We have also embarked on the key theme of ‘unity’ and laid out the steps that can be taken to become better allies, in addition to celebrating the creation of two mental health first aiders within the business to help support all staff who may be facing challenges with their wellbeing. 

We have also made progressive changes to our one-to-one Annual Performance Appraisals (APAs). 

24/7 – 365 

When celebrating Pride Month it is important to make a concerted effort to understand the key issues and use this as an opportunity to celebrate the steps taken towards LGBTQ+ rights, but it needs to be addressed every day of the year. 

Our brand values and ethos of inclusion and diversity is central to our Crystal family. It’s vitally important for us to continue our campaigning and educational initiatives to become more involved and vocal LGBTQ+ allies. 

Jason Berry is group sales and marketing director at Crystal Specialist Finance