With the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras just around the corner you may be wondering how you can support the LGBTQIA+ people in your community.
1. Learn about the history of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
The first Mardi Gras occurred on 24th June 1978, as an event to celebrate gay and lesbian culture and to protest the discrimination they faced every day. However, the march down Oxford Street ended with police arrests and violence against the protestors.
The following months saw many wins and losses for LGBTQIA+ rights, but by April 1979 the NSW Summary Offences Act legislation, which had allowed the arrests, was repealed.
From then on Mardi Gras gained momentum as a symbol of hard-won civil rights for the LGBTQIA+ community. The event was moved to Summer and now includes several community events as well as the annual protest and parade.
You can learn more about the history of Mardi Gras here.
2. Support the LGBTQIA+ people in your life
Send a text message or call the LGBTQIA+ people in your life to let them know you’re thinking of them as they celebrate their identity. It can mean so much to your friends, family and co-workers to know you’re supporting them.
You can also attend events to show your support for the community or support local LGBTQIA+ businesses or safe spaces.
3. Start conversations with your co-workers, family or friends about LGBTQIA+ rights
Conversations can help to raise awareness, address misconceptions and motivate the people around us to learn more about allyship. Starting conversations about LGBTQIA+ rights can be scary but know that your voice is powerful. The support you show for the LGBQTIA+ community will encourage others to do the same – and its these daily interactions which make positive change possible.
You can start these conversations by talking about the history of Mardi Gras, discussing your plans for the weekend or even inviting people to come along to the march. Everyone is on a different stage of their allyship journey and even a casual conversation can be a big step to learning more about human rights.
You can learn more about how to challenge language here.
4. Take action
Thanks to the advocacy of survivors and allies, VIC, QLD, NSW, the ACT and SA have all introduced laws combatting harmful conversion practices.
This was a huge win for the LGBTQA+ community and while there is more to be done to ensure the legislations fully protect LGBTQA+ people, with the ongoing support of activists and change-makers, Amnesty will continue to call on governments to make these laws as impactful as possible.
Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people who take injustice personally. We are campaigning for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all – and we can only do it with your support.
Act now or learn more about a Human Rights Act.
