As we mark Pride Month, we find ourselves in a moment of both celebration and challenge. Pride is a time to honor LGBTQIA+ humanity—its joy, visibility, resilience, and progress. It’s also a time to reflect honestly on the growing need for solidarity, inclusion, and courageous allyship.
Anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric is on the rise, and hard-won protections are under threat in many places. This tension can leave even well-meaning allies wondering how—or whether—to speak up.
And yet, this is exactly the moment when allyship matters most.
Allyship Is More Than Visibility
Many of us begin our support with visible signs: waving rainbow flags, posting in celebration, or sharing messages of love and pride. These gestures can be meaningful. They show LGBTQIA+ friends and colleagues that they are not alone.
But visibility is just the beginning. In a time when rights and safety are at risk, allyship calls for more: deeper listening, stronger advocacy, and persistent action.
"I am because we are; and since we are, therefore I am."— J. S. Mbiti
Ubuntu, the African philosophy beautifully captured in this quote, reminds us that our lives are intertwined. Our well-being, progress, and humanity are interdependent. It’s a powerful counterpoint to the Western individualist ideal of “I think, therefore I am.”
If we want to build communities and organizations rooted in equity and justice, we must move beyond surface-level inclusion.
We must build cultures where people don’t just survive—they belong.Where voices are not just heard—they are valued.Where we stop asking people to fit in, and start designing systems where people can truly thrive as they are—together.
The Tangible Impact of Allyship
Allyship becomes especially vital when we consider the very real risks LGBTQIA+ individuals face in their daily lives—risks that affect not only mental health, but physical safety and long-term well-being.
According to The Trevor Project, LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers.
Over 50% of LGBTQ+ adults report experiencing significant levels of depression and anxiety.
Transgender individuals face even higher rates of psychological distress, and a disproportionate risk of violence and homelessness.
Workplace discrimination remains widespread—leading to increased stress, higher turnover, and long-term financial instability.
When allies step forward—whether through policy, presence, or advocacy—they don’t just make spaces more inclusive. They literally help save lives.
Allyship isn’t just a moral stance—it has real-world benefits for LGBTQIA+ individuals, organizations, and even allies themselves.
For LGBTQIA+ Individuals:
Mental and physical health: Inclusion reduces minority stress, anxiety, and depression. Supportive environments are linked to improved mental and physical well-being.
Safety and retention: LGBTQIA+ employees are 2.6x more likely to stay at companies where they feel included.
Career and financial stability: Inclusive policies and cultures improve job satisfaction, advancement opportunities, and reduce turnover.
For Allies:
Empathy and perspective: Allies report greater emotional intelligence, deeper relationships, and a stronger sense of purpose.
Psychological well-being: Supporting others is linked to increased resilience, integrity, and personal growth.
Alignment with values: Allyship helps individuals live in line with their beliefs—a key component of well-being and authenticity.
How to Be a Thoughtful Ally
You don’t need to be perfect to be present. Allyship is about showing up—especially when it's hard—with humility, empathy, and courage. Here are a few ways to deepen your practice:
1. Listen first. Honor the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ people. Let their voices guide your understanding.
2. Pair visibility with action. Rainbow flags and social media posts matter more when they accompany inclusive policies, ERGs, and advocacy.
3. Speak up with care. Challenge exclusion when you see it—even in small ways. You don’t have to be loud to be effective.
4. Share your platform. Use your privilege to open space for LGBTQIA+ colleagues and communities to be seen, heard, and valued.
5. Keep showing up. Allyship isn’t seasonal. The real impact comes through consistent, sustained support over time.
Final Thoughts
As someone who is still learning—and learning to be comfortable not having all the answers—I hold the wisdom of Ubuntu as a north star. Pride Month is a celebration, yes. But it is also a call to action: to stand beside those fighting to be fully seen, valued, and safe.
If you’re waving a rainbow flag this month, thank you. Let it be more than a gesture—let it be a beginning. Let it remind us all that inclusion is not a trend, but a commitment.
Now is exactly the time to show up. Let’s keep listening, learning, and building a future where everyone can thrive.
Together.
#PrideMonth #Allyship #Inclusion #Ubuntu #LGBTQIA #Equity #Belonging #PsychologicalSafety #Leadership #starpowercoaching #transformation
