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First Nations people already have a complex environment to navigate in the world but add LGBTQIA+ to the mix and things get even tougher. IBA had a yarn with Allira Potter to discuss language, identity and how organisations can step up to the challenge in supporting their colleagues.
First up, do you know what LGBTQIA+ means? L= Lesbian, G= Gay, B= Bisexual, T= Transgender, Q= Queer or Questioning, I= Intersex, A= Asexual, + = everything in between and more which includes other sexual and gender identities including Two-Spirit and Pansexual.
Pride in inclusivity can come in many forms but it is ultimately creating a space for people to feel seen, heard, appreciated and safe. With many workplaces taking steps to embrace diversity and inclusion, what is missing? And how can we all play a part in taking pride in inclusivity.
As First Nations people, it can be hard to navigate your identity in the workplace and knowing where you stand. There can be pressure of an extra cultural load to uplift a workplace to educate and create a safe space. Similarly with other minority groups such as the LGBTQIA+ community, it can be hard to express your identity and live your truth no matter how big or small the organisation.
People who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community face many challenges and that includes the workplace. Being First Nations and/or queer is a continuous fight to be seen and heard.
A proud Yorta-Yorta woman and author of “Wild & Witchy”, Allira Potter gives their (yes, purposefully written) insights to the importance of language, expressing your identity and how businesses and organisations can ignite change in the workplace to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all. Allira is part of our Strong Woman Strong Business (SWSB) network and Lunch & Learn speakers who previously spoke about Strong Women Empowering Others.
This is must-read content! IBA breaks it down into sections – overcome the challenge, identify red flags, remain open-minded, step outside your boundaries, speak your truth, find your strength, and pride in truth.
There can be various challenges in the workplace whether it’s time management, meeting your KPIs or working under pressure. However, these challenges can become more stressful when working in unwelcoming environments. Allira discussed exactly such a situation and the challenges that came with it.
“Some of the challenges I faced during my career journey were being surrounded by non-Indigenous people who created a toxic work environment, which made it difficult to speak my truth, especially in a large corporation with little to no support,” said Allira.
“Working in such an environment can make you feel like a number rather an individual. Without any support it was hard trying to find my voice and confidence to speak up.”
A workplace that is not open to individuality can cause individuals to feel suppressed in their identity where they feel they must water themselves down to accommodate to the culture. By suppressing your identity, it takes away our own uniqueness and individuality.
LESSON: It’s important to realise we are more than a number and with many others facing similar challenges. So, how can workplaces overcome the obstacles they created?
Many of us spend a substantial amount of our time in a workplace. It's crucial to create an environment where individuals can feel safe, heard and appreciated. Allira identified some red flags that workplaces can identify within their own space to hold themselves accountable.
“There are so many businesses that have been striving to make change which is incredible and it’s because they’re listening to their workers. I definitely feel like little things help corps/orgs. Little things like an Acknowledgement of Country plaque displayed in the office,” said Allira.
“If there are employees that are First Nations that haven’t yet identified in the company, having something as simple as a plaque or a rainbow flag gives people of either minority a chance to feel safe within these walls.”
LESSON: By listening to workers, providing support and incorporating the little things, organisations can create such a big difference in the workplace.
Challenging your beliefs and understanding others can be difficult when you have different lived experiences. This is why the importance of language can create a validating and supportive environment. Allira, who uses she/they pronouns, discussed the importance of language and how pronouns can be respectfully demonstrated inside and outside the workplace.
“Using language such as a person's pronouns is so important. Again, it’s creating a safe space for that person and it’s making that person feel seen. Also reminding yourself that if you muck up someone’s pronouns or you misgender someone it’s not the end of the world. That person will just correct you, which will allow you to reframe your language for next time,” said Allira.
LESSON: With cancel and woke culture in the mix, individuals can feel scared to not ask questions or make a mistake. It is the intention behind the question that matters. If you’re coming from good place, it’s ok. Be open minded and create a space for individuals to have those open conversations. But how can we have that conversation?
Change is scary. It can challenge all that you’ve ever known and create hard conversations. Allira provided advice for workplaces to be more inclusive, celebrate diversity and to start a conversation.
“For some businesses and organisations, it can be really hard to have those conversations with staff. Especially people that aren’t out or questioning in the LGBTQIA+ community or don’t choose to identify as First Nations within their workplace. By putting little things out there like including your pronouns in work emails and getting involved during significant events such as NRW and NAIDOC week, it creates conversations and encourages people to engage within community,” said Allira.
“It encourages people within those minority groups to feel safe and seen. You want to be walking into a safe space. My advice for corps and orgs is don't be afraid to step outside your boundaries and have those conversations.”
LESSON: By stepping out of your boundaries, you open yourself up to a range of possibilities. By standing up and speaking your truth, it can create change and hopefully create a place of comfort. How can you stand up and speak your truth?
Navigating your identity in a workplace with people outside of your community can cause challenges in connection and making meaningful relationships. Here’s some advice Allira gave on how people can navigate their identity in the workplace.
“It can be overwhelming trying to have a voice in the workplace, especially in a large corporation. My advice would be don’t be afraid to utilise resources that your company has, for example if there’s a HR department or an inclusion and diversity team, reach out to them,” said Allira.
“When you have at least one support person on your side, you will feel a little bit more comfortable to be vocal – to speak your truth. Don't be afraid to say what you need to say.”
LESSON: Having support and a strong support system is extremely validating. “Don’t be afraid to say what you need to say” is a strong statement. Although Allira’s advice says to utilise support in the workplace, what happens when there is no support or strength in finding your voice?
It can be daunting trying to find your voice and confidence within the workplace. Especially if you’re early in your career. When working in a difficult environment, Allira found it hard to find their confidence. However, she reflected on their ancestors and drew their strength from them.
“I always think about how they paved the way for me to do the things that I want to be doing. So, I need to have some sort of spine and speak up and just say what I need to say,” said Allira.
“If it backfires that’s ok because at least I know that I did what I needed to do and spoke my truth. By speaking my truth, it allows me to stand up for myself and be the person I want to be.”
LESSON: When faced with a difficult situation that involves speaking up against injustice think about the people who paved the way for you to be where you are today. Reflect on where you draw your strength and who or what gives you courage to speak up. The ones that want you to succeed will guide you.
Pride can have many meanings – something that gives you deep satisfaction, something from which you’re encouraged and draw strength. However, ‘Pride’ when recognising the LGBTQIA+ community is known to be a celebration of people coming together in love and friendship, to show how far LGBTQIA+ people and rights have come. Allira explained their meaning of Pride.
“I was having this conversation the other day because I recently got engaged. We were talking about marriage, and they were basically saying I don’t get marriage – it’s just the patriarchy and all these things against marriage. For me I just think of all the lesbians before me that have paved the way for people like me and my fiancé to be able to go and get married,” said Allira.
“Pride means having this deep sense of realisation of all the people before me that really advocated and fought hard for people like me to be able to get married and walk into spaces in order to feel safe. Because 20 years ago that wasn't even a thing. Pride to me is just being content within myself and being ok with my sexuality and just loving me for me.”
Taking pride in truth is recognising our past, being present in who we are and making that change for a better future.
When people are in an unsupportive and unsafe environment, the expression of identity can be suppressed – they may feel the need to hide who they really are to fit in. By creating an inclusive environment, people can feel liberated and safe knowing they have support. A place where they can feel seen, heard and appreciated. With a workplace where we spend much of our time, shouldn't we create a space of safety and acceptance, rather than tolerance and performance?
When employees feel safe and heard, it promotes a culture in which employees can speak freely and live their truth. This ultimately uplifts the rest of the organisation to better serve, support and protect their employees and customers.
Being inclusive includes ‘u’, ‘I' and ‘us’. There’s no room for racism but there will always be room for inclusivity.
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Allira Potter (she/they) a proud Yorta-Yorta woman, with an impressive resume ranging from an intuitive, a creator and writer, speaker, model, an empowerment and Award-winning coach, manifesting queen, baby witch and an all-round spiritual sister.
Zenae Powell (she/her) a proud Wiradjuri woman in Central-West of NSW residing on Dharug Ngurra. At IBA, she contributes to the invaluable work to share stories with community. Zenae is studying a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Indigenous Studies and Public Relations at Macquarie University.
Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) is a Corporate Commonwealth entity, we support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with home ownership, business opportunities, and investments for their future. It’s why we exist.
