Accept people for who they are and support them if they need it. You can also speak up in situations where you see inequality occurring. The more people who speak up, the more others will be inclined to follow.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in becoming an ally to the LGBTQ+ community? • Speak to the community and listen to what they really want and need rather than assuming you know. Also be an actual ally to the community, stand up for them and what is right - we've come a long way but there is still so far to go. • Be an ally, fight the good fight, you will be on the right side of History. This being said, remember to listen to people from the community to be a good ally. Sometimes what an ally think is the right thing is not what a member of the community needs/wants according to their experience. • If you believe in your life mission then stick with it. Never give up. Be stubborn! The more success you have, the more people will try and pull you down in life. • Looking back over the last 30 years, Ireland has come a very long way, not only in terms of the acceptance of the LGBT+ community, but also in terms of wider social reforms. It can be easy then to think that the "work is done". However, now, more than ever, it is important to show support to the LQBTQ+ community. There are still a lot more that can be done to make Ireland a more inclusive and accepting society. Getting involved in LGBT+ employee groups at work, participating in Pride events and pushing for more social reforms are all ways that allies can help support the LGBT+ community.
After a successful participation in last year’s Cork Pride and on the anniversary of the 1993 homosexuality law , Qualcomm is proud to reiterate its support to LGBTQ+ rights as it has done for decades. On this important anniversary, we’ve asked Qualcomm employees a few questions about their thoughts on how to improve life for our community in Ireland. What changes would you like to see in society regarding its treatment and acceptance the LGBTQ+ community in the next 30 years?
• I would like to see a lot more acceptance and friendliness towards the community. I hope attacks especially physical become things of the past. Everyone realising that people of the community are people just like everyone else. • In general, a continued growing acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland is something I would love to see. One area I believe were this could have the most impact is in education. Including LGBT+ issues as part of the curriculum could have a huge beneficial impact in terms of helping to make Ireland a more open society while also helping young people in feeling more comfortable with who they are.
• I would like to see people treated equally no matter their backgrounds. A lot of people in the LGBTQ+ community are still stigmatised for what they are. We can see people in Ireland still need to go through paperwork to be granted a pardon for a “homosexual acts offence” conviction which is an offence that has been abolished. This should have been automatically pardoned. We can al so see a lot of discussion/effort to exclude transgender people (especially women) from sports, even though they don't perform better than cis women, this is discrimination.
How can employees help to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for the LGBTQ+ community in their workplaces?
• Educate yourself, follow diversity and inclusion trainings to understand your privileges and biases and call out other people when they do/say something wrong. It can be unconscious, but it is our responsibility to make sure each and every one of us is comfortable in our work environment. Don't get defensive if you're being called out, we are all learning and making mistakes, the important thing is to grow and correct ourselves . • Have employees participate in bias training to help curb discrimination in the workplace. Managers and leaders should foster an inclusive team culture and treat everyone equally. People should feel comfortable approaching their managers to call out any incidents, whether they were witnesses or victims.
• By supporting talks/education workshops and actually be involved in them and implement them rather than having them as a ticking the box initiative • Be part of the induction for new hires. More awareness events. Don't be afraid to ask. You only have to ask! • Getting involved in LGBT+ employee groups, marching in Pride Parades, helping to organize talks of LGBT+ issues or even attending such talks will help to create a more welcoming and open environment in their workplace. To be able to show that LGBT+ ideals and concerns can be discussed in an open manner in the workplace among LGBT+ peers and allies goes a long way towards creating a more inclusive workplace.
• More acceptance and tolerance from everyone. Everyone is equal. I was reared by my parents to respect people, their thoughts, and opinions. • The government must ensure that the LGBT+ community is considered in legislation and policies to encourage full inclusion and equality. For example, the extension of paid leave for couples who have children through surrogacy and recognition of legal parentage for both partners. In which way can allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community contribute to making these changes in the next 30 years?
• Push for equal rights. Fight the political fights for tolerance. Educate the younger communities and call out bigotry. Political decisions are going backwards for the community in many countries in the world. We can see countries forbidding mentions of LGBTQ+ in schools or books, fightin g against this and for even more equality/equity is needed every day.
• Educate people on the different members of the community and try to eliminate the 'us & them' attitude. • Lobby your local TDs and government representatives individually or as part of an activist group to make changes. Also, get involved in future referendum campaigns; it really does help! • Never give up. It is a journey, and everything takes time unfortunately. One piece of advice, never lower yourself to your distractors. Believe in yourself.
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