Hi<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Welcome to this week’s blog. We have another guest blogger, or rather bloggers, and the format is a little different from usual. This week we’re posting a video. This isn’t the first video that we’ve posted, but it’s certainly the first for a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The video was made by Out2gether Worcestershire, for National Hate Crime Awareness week, 2020. Out2gether Worcestershire, is an LGBT+ charity working to build friendship, support and community for LGBT+ folks and allies in Worcester and South Worcestershire<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It shares real life stories, captured in poetry, portraying the destructive, ugly effects of hate. All the poems are powerful; the trauma of reliving their experiences, evident. They’re taken from the Anthology, “Standing Proud”<\/a>. This is a collaborative project between Out2gether and The Word Association; a collective of writers and artists, passionate about using art to make a social impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ahead of Transgender Day of Remembrance (Friday 20th November), I’d like to draw your attention to one in particular: The poem, ‘Welcome to Transphobia’. It’s the last video in the collection, number 11. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Listening to their stories reinforced for me the importance of allyship, or being an ally. It doesn’t matter whether you are a ‘straight ally’, a ‘white ally’ a ‘male ally’. What matters is that you are prepared to listen, learn about the experiences of marginalised groups; empathise with their challenges, and help create inclusive spaces where they are valued, supported and heard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Being an ally isn’t a label you can give yourself though. It’s a verb. It’s your ongoing actions that lead others to recognise you as an ally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n