To be an ally - means to support, amplify and advocate for others, especially those individuals who belong to marginalised groups - both in society and in social contexts. In this context, we are talking about the TV industry - oh yes! That big, open-space we know as the TV Industry: nirvana for marginalised groups!
That’s not true is it? Apologies for being facetious there but in all truth, the TV industry has come a long way in a lot of aspects: representation, relationships, comfortability, diversity…but it’s not all the way there yet.
With over a third of LGBTQ+ people still feeling as if they have to hide who they are at work, we thought it would be prudent to do our bit on how we could do better as an industry, in creating a more open and inclusive space for our colleagues and crew…
DON’T PROBE
Straight people are a curious bunch aren’t we? “How do you do this?” “What’s this feeling like?” “When did you know?” All questions in the old grey matter we might have from time to time for our colleagues, but take those questions and park them somewhere else; LGBTQ+ people are often asked intrusive questions, from their bodies to their sex lives, they don’t need you asking them ‘when did you come out to your Grannie?’. IF and that’s a big if (it’s been capitalised) a crew member or a colleague wants to discuss these things, let them offer the information themselves. It’s okay to be curious! But it’s the sensitivity and appropriateness of the discussion that is paramount here.
EDUCATE YOURSELF
This might seem like a contradiction in terms due to the previous tip; but it’s not. As an ‘ally’ it is your job to educate yourself - the operative word being ‘yourself’. We now have a little invention called the internet which is a great help - social media too. Take time out of your usual doom scrolling to learn from LGBTQ+ voices; watch videos, read articles, follow advocates - just listen and learn. And the wonderful thing is, it’s not exclusive information; you can share this information with your colleagues and crew.
ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT’S HAPPENING
Homophobia, transphobia and all round bigotry looks different now to what it did five years ago; the landscape is always changing and adapting, and as that does, so do the bigots. There are still the violent attacks, the online tirades of abuse and the vitriolic vocabulary out there - but as an ally it’s your job to acknowledge this and be an advocate for change. For example, the author of a best-selling book series about a wizard boy is a bonafide-terf, now we’re not saying put down your wands and boycott your bad boy Harry P - but take time to acknowledge and understand what’s problematic about what JK is saying. Once you start doing this, you will be able to pick up on microaggressions, why a joke isn’t okay to make and ultimately learn how to help someone feel more comfortable in the office or on set.
CALL IT OUT
Situation: Joe Bloggs and Bill Smith in the office are having a chat, Joe mentions he does something quite effeminate, Bill says ‘that is gay.’ So here’s the awkward part, you like Bill; he’s a pretty sound guy, does his work, he’s a laugh! But Bill has just used the word ‘gay’ in a negative way. That’s not okay Bill! Depending on your workplace policy (look it up) it is now your responsibility to call it out (in line with your workplace policy) even though you might like Bill. It’s okay to be the kill-joy, it’s okay to be the boring one; tell yourself ‘I’d rather be boring than tolerate negative behaviour’. If you don’t feel it’s appropriate to take it higher (in line with your workplace policy), have a chat with Bill - mono e mono - educate him, help him learn and if Bill is unresponsive to this kind head’s up. Get HR on the scene.
RECOGNISE IT TAKES TIME
As with anything, this will take time: reading one article isn’t going to immediately make you a progressive human being - but over time, as you grow and educate yourself, you will learn how to ‘do better’. There will be stumbles, you will probably say something that will upset someone, but it’s about how we apologise, how we learn from that experience to ensure we don’t make someone feel that way again. Accountability is a huge part of this process and with accountability comes a responsibility to learn from your mistakes and make an active effort to change problematic or negative behaviour.
IT’S NOT ALL RAINBOWS AND RUPAUL
Pride comes around every June, and it’s a time for brands and businesses to, let’s say, show their support for the LGBTQ+ community, but once that’s done, and you’ve taken down the office rainbow, the members of LGBTQ+ community still live day to day. Although you’ve shown your support throughout June and you’ve been an unabashed ally, now is the time where it really counts.
You’ve shown support in June? Great! Show it all year round!
Being LGBTQ+ isn’t always pride flags and drag; there comes a lot of hardships and tribulations with being a part of that community, so now it’s your responsibility to do whatever you can do to make their lives easier; whether it be calling out Bill, or reading the latest Stonewall article - whatever you can do, to ‘do better’, do it!
Just make sure it’s not just the bare minimum.
Do you have a project that you think we can bring to the screen? Get in touch.
