It can be easy to brush past or feel hesitant about something you don’t understand – so take the time to truly ‘see’ a person’s experience, listen to them and understand them. From there, the puzzle pieces will come together naturally for you and soon enough you’ll have the whole picture.

We spoke to Albert Krueger, CEO of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, about the importance of a day of significance like IDAHOBIT, and what it takes to be an LGBTQIA+ ally – even if you're not sure where to start.

Why is IDAHOBIT – a day against discrimination – still so important?

We’ve made great strides in the fight for equality in recent years, however, there is still a long way to go. Across the globe there are almost 70 countries where being gay is illegal, some of which have the death penalty associated with the ‘crime’. Those numbers are even more severe when we look at the legalities of being trans or gender diverse across the globe.

This isn’t just an overseas problem, either – in the last 12 months, our communities have experienced some of the most aggressive political attacks in recent history. These blatant displays of homophobia and transphobia filter down into the everyday experience of people within our community and manifest in saddening levels of anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicide. 

IDAHOBIT is a day to take a stand, and to show that in the face of adversity our communities are brave, strong, resilient. We are here – see us, understand us, and know we aren’t going anywhere. Days like IDAHOBIT are a chance to build and regain momentum to carry the message of the day throughout the year.

What are some ways that YOU are an ally to the greater LGBTQIA+ community, and other communities?

Having the honour of leading the team at Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras means I'm able to drive forward and amplify the voices of our community, more than ever. Mardi Gras started as a protest, and that fire has never gone out.

In recent years I’ve personally, along with members of the Sydney Mardi Gras team, worked closely with Equality Australia on the Equality Bill proposed by Alex Greenwich to address inequalities our communities face every day. 

Additionally, as an organisation, we only work and uplift corporate partners who truly live and breathe the importance of diversity and inclusion, helping to create safe spaces for our community to bring their whole selves to work every day without fear of discrimination.

It can be hard to know how to start being an effective ally if you’re just starting out. What’s your top tip for those who might want to start being an ally?

I believe people can often over think allyship. That can make it daunting to figure out the best place to start, especially when considering that a person's identity, sexuality and gender can be such a personal and private journey.

Regardless if we’re talking about being an ally to the gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual, or broader community, the best place we can start is to see, listen and understand.

It can be easy to brush past or feel hesitant about something you don’t understand – so take the time to truly ‘see’ a person’s experience, listen to them and understand them. From there, the puzzle pieces will come together naturally for you and soon enough you’ll have the whole picture.

Remember, being a good ally is an ongoing journey and commitment, you just have to take the first step.

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