Solidarity, not just allyship: Standing with the LGBTQ+ community

By Bethany Hushon, Senior Account Manager at Omnicom Media Group

Allyship is a word that has gained traction in recent years, and with good reason. Yet for me, the word has always felt incomplete. Allyship can sometimes risk being passive—a title claimed rather than a commitment lived out. I prefer to think in terms of solidarity. Solidarity extends beyond mere support at a distance; it embodies shared struggle, collective responsibility, and the willingness to stand alongside others, even when it’s uncomfortable or unpopular.

In today’s climate, solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community has never been more important. We are witnessing a world in flux, where rights and recognition that many once took as progress are being questioned or rolled back. It’s not enough to simply agree with equality in principle; we need to embody it in practice, with consistency and compassion.

My Experience of Showing Solidarity

This past year, I’ve found myself reflecting deeply on what it really means to stand with the LGBTQIA+ community. If I’m honest, guilt is the emotion that first comes to mind. I cannot fully comprehend what LGBTQIA+ people are going through during these uncertain times. I don’t live their reality, and I recognize the privilege in that. When I spoke to members of our LGBTQIA+ employee resource group about recent events, I surprised even myself when I used the word “privilege” to describe my position. It was a moment of clarity: I cannot ever truly relate to their lived experiences, but I can choose to stand beside them.

Solidarity has taught me that my role is not to fix, interpret, or lead, but to listen, amplify, and support. It’s about acknowledging that the discomfort I might feel in difficult conversations pales in comparison to the weight of exclusion, discrimination, and fear that others carry daily.

How I Became More Open

People often ask me when I decided to become an “ally.” The truth is, I don’t believe there was ever one big defining moment. Growing up, I struggled with my own sense of belonging and identity. I was surrounded by LGBTQIA+ teammates while playing sports, and in many ways, women’s sport has always been a space of acceptance and visibility for diverse identities, especially during a time when it wasn’t seen for women to take part in sport. Later, living in Liverpool for five years—a city proud of its culture, resilience, and progressiveness—further shaped my worldview.

Through family, friends, teammates, and colleagues, I was simply exposed to communities where being your authentic self was valued. For me, the belief has always been straightforward: you should be able to love who you want and live authentically without question. Whenever people try to impose restrictions or judgments on that, I find myself thinking—I just don’t understand why. To me, kindness isn’t optional; it’s foundational. And though I’ve been told many times that kindness can be both my strength and my weakness, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Advice for Those Who Want to Support

For anyone who wants to stand with the LGBTQ+ community, my advice is this: start with listening. Too often, we jump to action without first creating space for people to share their stories and feelings. You don’t need to fully understand someone’s lived experience—you can’t, not entirely. What matters is that you show awareness of the environment they are navigating and that you provide a safe, nonjudgmental space to be heard.

At times, external vocal action and public solidarity can feel difficult to navigate, especially when conversations are politicised or polarising. But silence is not neutrality; silence too often protects the status quo. Even small acts—speaking up against bias, challenging exclusionary behaviour, or amplifying the voices of LGBTQ+ colleagues and friends—create ripples of change.

What gives me hope are the conversations I’ve had with members of the community, many of which end with the phrase: “We will bounce back from this.” That resilience is inspiring. Progress is rarely a straight line; it comes with setbacks, dips, and challenges. Yet what remains constant is the truth that our well-being is interconnected. When we dismantle oppressive systems, everyone benefits.

Choosing Solidarity Every Day

Solidarity isn’t a badge we wear once; it’s a daily practice. It’s in the conversations we have, the actions we take, and the compassion we extend even when it costs us something. It’s in being willing to stand visibly with those whose rights are under threat, and to do so not just in moments of celebration, but in moments of struggle too.

For me, solidarity is about kindness, authenticity, and courage. It’s about believing that everyone deserves to live openly and freely, and committing to doing my part to make that possible.

So my invitation is this: listen, learn, speak up, and stand alongside. Not as an observer, but as someone invested in our shared humanity. Because solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community is not just about them—it’s about all of us, and the kind of world we want to build together.