By
Halls Life
Posted 2 days ago
Mon 16 Jun, 2025 12:06 AM
June is Pride Month! A time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, reflect on its history, and champion equality. Whether you're part of the community or not, this is the perfect time to ask: how can I be a better ally?
As a student looking to show your support, here's a guide on what allyship really means – and how you can get involved both during Pride Month and all year round.
What is an ally?
Being an ally means standing up for, supporting, and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community - even if you don’t personally identify as LGBTQ+. It’s about using your voice, actions, and influence to help create a more inclusive and accepting space for everyone.
Allyship isn’t just wearing a rainbow badge in June (although we love a good rainbow moment). It’s a consistent effort to listen, learn, and speak out.
How to be a better ally
Here’s where to start:
- Educate yourself (without expecting others to do it for you). Learn about different identities, pronouns, and the challenges LGBTQ+ people face. There are loads of resources out there (podcasts, documentaries, books and articles), but you can always speak to members of the community in Southampton. You don’t need to know everything, but putting in the effort shows respect.
- Speak up when it matters. If someone says something homophobic, transphobic or makes a “joke” that’s just not okay – say something. It might feel awkward, but silence often speaks louder. You don’t have to be aggressive; even a simple “That’s not cool” can make a big difference. Or if you're not comfortable speaking up at the time, at least check in with the victim(s) to see if they're okay and show your support.
- Respect pronouns and identities. It takes two seconds to say, “Hi, I’m X, my pronouns are they/them.” Doing this helps normalise the conversation and creates space for others to share theirs. If you get it wrong, apologise, correct yourself, and move on – it’s okay to make mistakes as long as you’re willing to learn.
- Show up and support. That means showing up for your LGBTQ+ mates, supporting queer creators, and joining inclusive events like Pride. And if you’re in Southampton this summer…
Save the date: Southampton Pride 2025
Saturday 24th August 2025 The city comes alive with colour, music, and celebration. Everyone is welcome!
Whether you join the march, volunteer, or just come along to soak up the atmosphere, it’s a powerful way to show your support. Keep an eye on Southampton Pride's website for event details.
Small actions, big impact
- Add your pronouns to your email or social bio.
- Challenge discrimination when you hear it.
- Support LGBTQ+ societies and events on campus.
- Ask respectful questions – and be open to listening.
- Follow queer voices on social media to broaden your perspective.
You don’t have to have it all figured out
Allyship is a journey, not a badge. It’s okay to still be learning. The most important thing is to care and to act on that care.
So this Pride Month, let’s show up for our mates, classmates, and everyone else in the LGBTQ+ community. And let’s keep showing up, long after June is over.
Need support or want to connect with other students? Check out the LGBTQ+ Society!
