The Sexuality and Gender Inclusivity and Diversity Committee has been working with our legends in IT and the executive, to create the newest version of the Allambi email signature. This signature version contains an image of the Progressive Pride Flag alongside of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. It also provides staff with the option of including their pronouns next to their name.
These changes may have left some of you wondering why? So we wanted to share the rationale behind these latest developments.
The most recent research continues to indicate that: young people who identify as LGBTQI+ experience significantly higher rates of psychological distress, poor mental health, self-harm, suicide ideation, and attempts of suicide, compared to that of the general population and these factors are directly related to their experiences of stigma, discrimination, inadequate support, and isolation.
Unfortunately, this is the grim reality, but the good news is, there is a lot you can do as an individual and we can do as an organisation to help!
We know that visibility saves lives, it signals to young people that we support them, and it sparks important conversations so that we can all continue to grow and learn.
By having the Progressive Pride Flag in our signature, we are letting everyone know that we support LGBTQI+ young people and we are striving to improve their reality.
For a lot of us, worrying about people using our correct pronouns is not something we have to do. For others it is a constant worry and not using the correct pronouns (or misgendering), can have serious implications and may involve young people feeling invalidated and disrespected.
When we take the lead in sharing our own pronouns, it reduces the stigma associated with talking about how others should refer to us and it allows LGBTQI+ young people to feel safe sharing their pronouns with you. It signals that you are an ally!
If you need any further info or would like to chat, please feel free to contact the committee IDC@allambicare.org.au and we will get back to you.
