Allyship: how to be an active ally and support marginalised communities
Active allyship is more than just saying you support a cause – it means taking consistent action to learn, support and stand up for marginalised groups. It involves listening, learning, and using your voice or privilege to help drive change.
Allyship is a continuous journey of learning and unlearning. It’s about showing up for communities you aren't a part of, whether that’s the LGBTQIA+ community, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, or people from different cultural backgrounds.
Being an ally means acknowledging that everyone deserves to feel safe and included, understanding identity and social equity, and recognising that our actions – big or small – can help break down barriers. Whether you’re meeting new people or helping friends navigate discrimination, your support matters.
It’s not about being perfect. You just need to be willing to listen when you’re corrected and stay committed to doing better. By being an active ally, you’re helping to build a world where everyone feels they belong.
Frequently asked questions about allyship
An ally is someone who actively supports and stands up for people from marginalised or disadvantaged groups, even if they don't belong to those groups themselves. Allyship is all about listening, learning, and using your voice to help create positive change.
Inclusivity is about creating environments where everyone feels welcome, valued, and respected. Allyship is the active practice of supporting marginalised groups. Think of inclusivity as the goal, and allyship as one of the ways we help achieve it.
Social equity means ensuring everyone has access to the same opportunities and resources, regardless of their background or circumstances. As an ally, you can help promote social equity by speaking out against unfair treatment and supporting initiatives that create equal opportunities for everyone.
Performative allyship is when someone claims to support a cause but doesn't take meaningful action to create real change. True allyship is more than words – it’s about genuine commitment and actions that help make things better for marginalised groups.
A good place to start learning how to be a better LGBTQIA+ ally is educating yourself on LGBTQIA+ issues, listening to stories shared by the community, using correct pronouns, and calling out homophobic or transphobic comments when it’s safe to do so. Learning how to embrace new perspectives and hold space for others is also a great skill to work on to be a better ally. Learn how to be a better LGBTQIA+ ally.
Listening to First Nations voices, learning the true history of Australia, and supporting Blak-led businesses and movements are good ways to start being a better ally to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Allyship means showing up and doing the work to understand the impact of systemic issues and understanding when to educate others versus when it’s important to step back and centre First Nations voices. Read our guide on how to be an ally to First Nations people.