You don’t have to be gay to be a supporter, just human.
High school is often one of the toughest times for LGBT youth living in Australia. Statistics don’t lie — LGBT high school students have staggering rates of depression, suicide, anxiety and mental illness. Whether or not you identify as LGBT+, you can help those who are struggling. Below I’ve listed a few ideas on how to make a positive difference to LGBT students around you. You don't need to do all of these, but trying a few might have more of an impact than you realise.
1. Don’t use words like “gay”, “fag” and “bent” as insults.
This is something often under appreciated by those who are not part of the LGBT community as throwaway jokes about people being gay, ‘faggots’, or ‘trannies’ often don’t seem hurtful. The truth is, constantly hearing these insults words can make school a pretty shitty experience for LGBT students — particularly if they’re not out. Make an effort not to use these words at all — there are so many words in the English language that won’t make someone feel like they’re weird or abnormal!
2. Call out your friends when they’re homophobic or transphobic.
This one can be hard, because it can feel like you’re being too serious, or not able to take a joke. However, if you really want to help make sure LGBT teens feel positive and accepted, hearing allies step up and call out casual homophobia often makes people's day!
3. Be open to new ideas.
Maybe the idea of gender fluidity makes you want to make a joke about there being 63 genders, or identifying as an apache attack helicopter. However, many aspects of LGBT identity are actually rooted in science or were around before our current social ideas existed. So hear out the LGBT community, and listen to understand — not respond.
4. Educate yourself about LGBT issues.
How much do you really know about what it’s like to be LGBT? There are lots of resources online — just visit our website, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter page for more links.
5. Stand out as an ally.
As a closeted LGBT student, it helped a LOT to know which of my friends would stand by me no matter my identity. Making yourself known as a supporter of people who identify as LGBT, is often reassuring for students around you who don’t know who will accept them.
6. Attend a StandOut group at your school.
If there is a StandOut group at your school, or a GSA (gay-straight alliance) this can be a great way to be a particularly active and visible ally. It might feel awkward visiting a “gay group” but doing so will also encourage more straight allies to come — you can be the start of an exponential wave of LGBT inclusivity and support.
7. Start a StandOut group at your school.
Sometimes, it might take a straight ally to start a GSA. If you make this start, it might just help some closeted LGBT students make it through high school alright. See our new resource for some help with this!
8. Put up supportive posters or sticky notes.
I know from experience that seeing a poster in your school that says “I support the LGBT community” can be the highlight of an upsetting or stressful school day. These are a great public way of sending anonymous support and love to vulnerable peers if you’re not ready to take the step of being an open or active ally.
9. Speak with student and staff leaders
Talking to prefects, student representative council members, senior staff and Principals can be a way of creating discussion about LGBT student support. Adding your voice to these issues and saying that yes, this is important, is a great way to be a leader in your school.
10. Learn safeTALK and other mental health first aid courses.
This one is applicable to not just LGBT youth, but all human beings - however, I include this because LGBT youth overwhelmingly face mental health challenges due to discrimination, abandonment and rejection. Educating yourself in these response skills and being alert to people who may be showing warning tells is an invaluable life skill that everyone should have. You can become a mental health leader with the help of amazing charities like Zero2Hero in Western Australia.
So remember, to be a leader in your school and make a difference in the lives of LGBT students, you don’t have to be the President of the Gay Rights club, go to rallies, or get up in assembly and make a passionate speech. Everyday actions and choices can be a just as effective way of changing someone’s life. Hopefully, some of these suggestions may have struck a chord with you — give them a try! And if you have any other suggestions that we’ve missed, post them in the comments or send them via messenger. We’d love to hear from you!