Advocating for change

As many of us know, identifying as gender and/or sexuality diverse has, and always will be, associated with a wide variety of issues that must be addressed in order for us to live as our authentic selves.

Fortunately, governments and society have started to acknowledge the reality of our existence and it is now widely accepted that the ongoing discriminatory treatment of the LGBTQIA+ community must be addressed.

At present, however, some of the most severe issues experienced by gender and sexuality diverse people have not been properly attended to and/or dismissed as issues that do not require immediate resolution.

These issues include, but are not limited to:

• Exposure to conversion therapy practices

• Exclusion from the anti-discrimination act

• Denial of gender-affirming healthcare

• Non-consensual surgical interventions

• Pathologising of non-heterosexual and non-cisgender identities

• Over-policing of gender and sexuality diverse minorities.

Amidst the severity of, and lack of awareness for these issues, an important question presents itself: how can these issues be addressed?

Advocacy.

Advocacy is a tool for creating change. It helps us spread awareness of the issues and brings attention to how gender and sexuality diverse people’s rights have been disrespected, threatened, and violated.

In becoming involved in LGBTQIA+ advocacy, we can create meaningful change within the lives of all gender and sexuality diverse people, and, in doing so, assist in bringing an end to the discriminatory treatment of the LGBTQIA+ community.

The question remains: what does it take to become an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and how can we, as everyday people, attend to these issues?

Becoming an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community requires two things: passion and dedication.

Given that there exists a wide variety of issues that are experienced by the LGBTQIA+ community, we cannot attend to every ongoing issue.

If you are passionate about addressing the mistreatment of the LGBTQIA+ community and are willing to dedicate yourself in any way that you can to support the LGBTQIA+ community, then you are capable of making a difference.

This is all that it takes to become an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, and if we intend to create meaningful change within the lives of gender and sexuality diverse people, then we must begin by advocating for change.

Here are some of the best ways that you can start to become involved in LGBTQIA+ advocacy and attend to these issues.

• Volunteering for LGBTQIA+ organisations

• Educating others about LGBTQIA+ experiences

• Using social media to spread awareness for LGBTQIA+ issues

Having made my argument, I must now ask: how will you attend to these ongoing issues and create meaningful change within the lives of the gender and sexuality diverse people around you?

By Niamh Schofield