Building Allies: How Can You Support Queer Colleagues in the Workplace?

Speak out against people making inappropriate jokes and speak out against people making any sort of phobic comment (trans, gay, racial, sexual, etc). This helps create a safe environment where bigots and prejudiced people are not welcome. It really helps if management supports this too.

A simple: I did not get your joke, can you please explain it can go a long way in making a difference.

A (sarcastic) list of my favourites:

• Be sure to have an opinion on Queer people, and make sure everyone in the office knows that.
• Complain about Queer people getting too much attention whenever you think there's none around to hear you. Remember that non-queers won't be offended by this.
• Enforce gender norms in subtle ways, like by pointing out anything that goes against gender norms and how "It's okay for men/women to do/wear that".
• Mention how you support the gays and make it clear that your only problem is with how there's rainbows everywhere.
• Assume anyone is allocishet until proven otherwise. If they don't cover themselves in rainbows, it's safe to just assume they're not queer.
• Avoid misinformation by avoiding information. Trust your instinct on queer issues. If something doesn't feel problematic to you, it probably isn't.
• Ask trans people about their genitals.
• Ask cis gay people about their genitals.
• Hell, ask anyone about their genitals.

Share your pronouns so other folks feel comfortable sharing theirs!