At DHU we are proud to support and promote our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, celebrating the uniqueness of our people and showcasing individuality.
This includes allyship where we encourage our people to understand, respect and talk openly about protected characteristics and minority groups.
DHU’s Director of People and Culture, Zahra Leggatt, has led by example and has this to say about her understanding of allyship and what it means to her and DHU as an organisation. In her own words…
“It’s only in the last few years that I’ve learnt the term ‘ally’, but looking back I recognise that I’ve been an ally for decades – I love the term because, to me, it conjures up an image of supporting someone by being alongside them.
“For example, I found my first ‘openly out’ friends when I went to University in the early 90’s. Some of my closest friends (and almost half of my rugby team!) were lesbians and the assumptions and prejudice they faced was deeply uncomfortable. I witnessed their collective broad shoulders and apparent ability to shrug off the negativity and admired it. It encouraged me to challenge the injustice and I remember very long conversations with people I perceived to be closed minded, encouraging them to broaden their views.
“As a straight, cis-woman, I can’t say ‘I understand’, but I have always come from a place of acceptance. Whether you’re talking about beliefs, feelings or sexuality, that doesn’t change if you really try to be person-centred and meet people ‘where they are’ – acceptance is acceptance.
“Over the last few years, as my role has become more directly linked to supporting diversity, I’ve learnt a lot about the TQ+ part of LGBTQ+ and have really challenged myself to understand what I didn’t before and advocate on a larger scale.
“I went to my first Pride event in summer 2023 and met up with some fabulous Oldbury-based members of our DHU LGBTQ+ community. I enjoyed meeting and talking to them, felt truly welcomed as an ally and I still do.
“If someone asked me what I understand about allyship, I’d say that it’s fine not to understand. It’s fine to respectfully ask people about themselves to help you increase your understanding whilst accepting if they don’t feel comfortable to share. It’s okay if you use the wrong terminology and set a great example if you use it, apologise and put it right! It’s about standing alongside people – not letting a homophobic, transphobic or any prejudiced comment go unaddressed or unchallenged, even if you’re not aware of anyone likely to be affected overhearing it.
“We can use our collective voices powerfully to create allyships across DHU – and not just being allies for the LGBTQ+ community - but in Pride month, it’s a great place to start.”