5 Ways to Show Active Allyship

At Broadway Sydney, we believe everyone deserves to feel safe, welcome, and celebrated exactly as they are. As a proud Welcome Here member, we're committed to creating inclusive spaces where the LGBTIQ+ community and their allies can shop, connect, and celebrate together - not just during Mardi Gras, but every single day of the year.

Allyship isn't just a word—it's action. Whether you're supporting a friend, celebrating your child, standing alongside colleagues, or championing inclusion in your community, being an active LGBTIQ+ ally means showing up in visible, meaningful ways. Here are 5 tips to help you become a more active ally.

1. Be Visible in Your Support

This one's simple but powerful. Visibility lets LGBTIQ+ people know they're in a safe, inclusive space.

How to do it:

Wear a rainbow lanyard or Pride pin to signal you're an ally
Display your pronouns in your email signature, Zoom meetings, or Instagram bio—it normalises pronoun sharing for everyone
Hang Pride posters or stickers at your workplace, school, or business to create an inclusive environment

These small gestures have a big impact. They tell the LGBTIQ+ community: "You're safe here. You're seen. You're supported."

Where to start: Grab a rainbow lanyard or pronoun pin, or pick up Pride gear during Mardi Gras season at Broadway Sydney.

MARDI GRAS

2. Get Involved in LGBTIQ+ Events and Awareness Days

Showing up matters. Whether it's Pride Month, Wear It Purple Day, IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia), or Trans Awareness Week, these moments are perfect opportunities to celebrate LGBTIQ+ people and champion inclusion.

How to participate:

Join events like Fair Day at Victoria Park (right across from Broadway Sydney on February 15, 2026!)
Organise workplace or classroom activities for awareness days
Share resources and information with your networks

Participation - whether as an individual, team, school, or organisation—creates lasting change. It's not just about one day; it's about building momentum for year-round inclusion.

Broadway Sydney's commitment: We're proud to support Mardi Gras with our Sparkle Squad, JOY art instllation, Minis activities, and the Rainbow Shoelace Project. Join us in celebrating love, diversity, and community.

3. Educate Yourself (and Others)

One of the most powerful ways to be an ally? Education. Whether you're learning about LGBTIQ+ identities, understanding the challenges trans and gender-diverse people face, or unlearning biases, education changes hearts and minds.

How to learn:

Dive into LGBTIQ+ training workshops for schools, workplaces, and organisations
Read articles, watch documentaries, and listen to LGBTIQ+ voices
Ask questions respectfully when you don't understand something

No matter your existing level of knowledge, undergoing LGBTIQ+ inclusion training with trained professionals can make a huge difference.

Pro tip: Look for resources on pronoun use, coming out support, and creating inclusive spaces.

4. Be a Trans Ally

Supporting trans, gender-diverse, and non-binary people is critical—especially now. Transphobia is real, and trans folks need visible, active allies more than ever.

How to support trans people:

Use people's correct names and pronouns (and correct yourself if you make a mistake)
Stand out against transphobia when you see or hear it
Stay educated on trans issues and listen to trans voices
Participate in Trans Awareness Week and amplify trans stories

Even if you're part of the LGBTIQ+ community already, it's more important than ever to stand with trans, gender-diverse, and non-binary folks.

Learn more: There are many resources available on trans allyship and support—seek them out and educate yourself.

5. Take Long-Term Action: Fundraise and Advocate

Allyship doesn't end with a rainbow lanyard. Long-term impact comes from sustained support—whether that's fundraising for LGBTIQ+ organisations, advocating for inclusive policies, or simply showing up consistently.

Ways to make a lasting impact:

Host a fundraiser for LGBTIQ+ charities and organisations that champion inclusion year-round
Advocate for LGBTIQ+-inclusive policies at your workplace, school, or community
Support LGBTIQ+ businesses and creators

Fundraising and sustained advocacy create real change in our communities.

How Broadway Sydney gives back: This Mardi Gras, we're partnering with the Rainbow Shoelace Project to distribute free Pride beads and support LGBTIQ+ youth visibility. Small actions, big impact. We also support Minus - 18, Welcome Here and Rainbow Families.

Allyship Is a Journey, Not a Destination

Being an ally is an ongoing learning process. You'll make mistakes—and that's okay. What matters is that you keep trying, keep educating yourself, and keep showing up for your LGBTIQ+ community.

Join Broadway Sydney in Celebrating Inclusion

This Mardi Gras season, Broadway Sydney is proud to be an inclusive space where everyone is welcome. As a Welcome Here member, we're committed to creating safe, welcoming environments for LGBTIQ+ people all year round. From our Sparkle Squad glitter stations to Minis family activities and the Rainbow Shoelace Project, we're celebrating diversity and supporting our LGBTIQ+ community.

Located perfectly for shopping near Sydney Uni, shopping near UTS, shopping near Glebe, shopping near Newtown, and shopping near Central Station, Broadway Sydney combines fashion stores Broadway Sydney with meaningful community celebrations. Whether you're exploring Broadway shops Sydney or browsing Sydney retail stores, make us your destination for allyship in action.

Stay up to date with Broadway Sydney's inclusive events and Mardi Gras celebrations. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

This article includes insights from Minus18, a youth organisation supporting LGBTIQ+ young people. Learn more at www.minus18.org.au. Broadway Sydney is a proud Welcome Here member, committed to LGBTIQ+ inclusion.