Pride Month is well underway here at Moore Barlow. Our Allies Team, headed up by Ophelia Geary, have organised a pub quiz in our Guildford office, alongside bake sales which are being hosted across five of our offices. But as we near the end of Pride, it prompts an important question: what happens next?
The celebration of Pride Month, however meaningful (and fun!) cannot drive lasting change on its own. Meaningful change requires active, engaged allies all year round.
Reframing allyship
Allyship is not defined by good intentions alone, but by action. As highlighted in a TED Talk by Angie Freeman – “each uninterrupted silent moment, sends a message saying, ‘you’re on your own’”. Allyship needs us not to stay silent and means:
- Speaking out against hate, exclusion, and misinformation when we encounter it.
- Taking responsibility to research and educate ourselves.
- Being a visible and vocal supporter.
Practicing allyship
Allyship is often in our everyday behaviours, it can show up in small but significant ways:
- Challenging inappropriate comments or assumptions, even when it feels uncomfortable to do so.
- Using inclusive language and respecting how individuals choose to identify.
- Supporting colleagues and creating spaces where people feel safe to be themselves.
Common pitfalls to challenge
- “I don’t want to get it wrong” – Fear of making mistakes can lead to silence. You don’t always have to get it right to make a difference.
- “It’s not my place” – Allyship needs everyone’s participation. If something is wrong, it is everyone’s place to address it.
- “I support privately” – Private support, while well-intentioned, does not shift public perception. Visibility of allyship matters.
Moving forward
Pride Month is an important opportunity to celebrate, reflect, and learn. But it should not be the peak of allyship, it should be the starting point.
Being an ally means showing up in conversations, in decisions, and in moments that are not always easy or visible. It means recognising that change is not built through a single month of action alone, but through sustained effort all year round.
