{"id":17570,"date":"2021-05-24T00:48:32","date_gmt":"2021-05-24T00:48:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/messagemedia.com\/au\/?post_type=blog&p=17570"},"modified":"2024-03-14T03:50:17","modified_gmt":"2024-03-14T03:50:17","slug":"idahobit-how-to-support-lgbtiq-community-at-work","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/messagemedia.com\/au\/blog\/idahobit-how-to-support-lgbtiq-community-at-work\/","title":{"rendered":"IDAHOBIT day: Supporting LGBTIQ+ community at work"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Conceived in 2004, International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia day aims to raise awareness of LGBTIQ+ rights and experiences. MessageMedia was excited to show our support by having Johnny Humphrey<\/a>, Director of Inclusivity Services, at the Center on Colfax<\/a> to speak on the importance of the day and how we can all be allies to the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What causes homophobia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The term homophobia means an aversion or irrational fear to gay and lesbian people and stems from our belief in heteronormativity. Heteronormativity assumes that everyone\u2019s sexual orientation is heterosexual (sex attraction is between a man and woman). It also assumes that this is preferable and supreme to all other sexualities and orientations. Many issues around gender normativity also stem from heteronormativity, including the idea that there are only two genders: men and women, and that both defer to masculinity and femininity.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Source:<\/strong> Architectures of Gender<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

These assumptions are woven into society and play out across numerous communities and cultures, leading to extreme forms of bigotry, including biphobia, transphobia and homophobia. Johnny reassures us that this is an issue everyone struggles with and needs to unlearn. He points to a simple example of seeing a man wearing a wedding ring and assuming his partner is a woman. He invites everyone to stop making assumptions and to allow people to be their authentic selves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why gender pronouns matter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gender pronouns are personal identifiers. For example, \u2018his, he, him\u2019 or \u2018they, them, their\u2019. They are essential to those whose visible gender identity may not align with who they choose to be. By knowing and using someone\u2019s preferred pronoun in the workplace, we can create inclusive and safe spaces that meet everyone\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Source:<\/strong> Culture Amp<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

By not using a pronoun \u2014 or by using the wrong pronoun \u2014 we are telling the individual:<\/p>\n\n\n\n