In today’s world, being an LGBTQ+ ally means much more than just waving a rainbow flag or purchasing Pride-themed merchandise. While visibility and symbols of support are important, true allyship demands consistent, intentional actions grounded in empathy, education, and accountability. It’s about moving beyond surface-level gestures to make a meaningful impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals.
This LGBTQ ally guide presents ten actionable tips designed to help allies evolve from performative activism to genuine support. These tips encourage ongoing learning, amplifying queer voices, challenging discrimination, and celebrating LGBTQ+ joy all year round—not just during Pride Month.
Leading the way in India is The LaLiT Hotels, a pioneering hospitality brand that exemplifies what true allyship looks like. The LaLiT goes beyond rainbow capitalism by fostering safe, inclusive environments where LGBTQ+ guests and employees feel respected, supported, and valued every day. Their #PureLove initiative reflects a deep commitment to human dignity and equality.
By embodying these principles, The LaLiT sets a powerful example for businesses everywhere. Being an LGBTQ+ ally is not about perfection but about showing up with purpose, standing in solidarity, and creating lasting change. It’s a daily commitment to love, respect, and inclusion.
Read Also: LGBTQ+ Travel Guide 2025: Safest & Most Welcoming Destinations
The first step in understanding how to be an LGBTQ ally is to educate yourself continuously. Read memoirs by queer authors, explore films and documentaries showcasing diverse identities, subscribe to LGBTQ+ podcasts, and stay updated through verified queer-led media outlets. Following LGBTQ+ activists on social media can also offer unfiltered insights into real-world issues and progress. In India, The Keshav Suri Foundation, powered by The LaLiT, serves as a dynamic learning hub—hosting regular sensitization sessions, immersive storytelling events, and training programs that explore gender identity, expression, and rights. These efforts make learning not just informative but also deeply personal and transformative.
Read Also: Eco-Friendly Pride: Sustainable Merch and Zero-Waste Parade Tips
Beyond rainbow capitalism, true support means spending your money at businesses that actively employ, protect, and uplift LGBTQ+ individuals. The LaLiT is a frontrunner here—renowned for hiring queer and transgender employees, championing LGBTQ artists and performers, and empowering entrepreneurs through inclusive platforms and events. Their commitment goes beyond performative gestures—it's an everyday ethos built on respect and opportunity. Internationally, hospitality leaders like The Standard Hotels, Axel Hotels, and Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants have followed suit, carving safe spaces and offering dignified representation. These brands have shown that authentic allyship is good for both people and business, embedding inclusivity deep into their policies and guest experiences. By supporting such enterprises, you're not just booking a stay—you're casting a vote for equity and dignity. As travelers and allies, our choices can help shape a more compassionate world, one inclusive reservation at a time.
Non-performative allyship begins with humility and active listening. Let LGBTQ+ voices lead the conversation—don’t dominate panels, workplace forums, or social media discussions if you're not part of the community. Instead, use your platform to uplift and amplify queer voices and their lived experiences. The LaLiT’s #PureLove campaign exemplifies this commitment, as it regularly shares authentic stories from LGBTQIA+ individuals across its properties and digital channels, giving visibility to diverse narratives. This initiative stands alongside similar campaigns from global hotel groups like Marriott’s “Love Travels” and the Taj Group’s internal diversity spotlights—efforts that focus not on optics, but on meaningful representation. By stepping back and making space, allies can help shift the spotlight to those who need it most. This form of support, quiet yet powerful, is a critical part of genuine allyship that builds trust, drives change, and dismantles performative activism in favor of true solidarity.
Whether it’s a joke at work or a policy that harms queer people, allies speak up. One of the simplest yet most impactful ways to be a good ally is to confront prejudice, no matter how subtle. The LaLiT doesn’t just react to discrimination, it proactively creates safe, affirming spaces across all its hotels.
Wondering how to support LGBTQ community members beyond Pride Month? Engage during LGBT Awareness Month, observe LGBTQ support beyond merch, and mark days like Transgender Day of Remembrance or National Coming Out Day. The LaLiT’s inclusive celebrations aren’t limited to June; their properties host events, dialogues, and workshops throughout the year.
Understanding allyship means recognizing that LGBTQ+ individuals can also face racism, ableism, casteism, and other forms of marginalization. True support must be nuanced and intersectional. The Keshav Suri Foundation, aligned with The LaLiT, collaborates with NGOs and community groups that address these overlapping issues.
Hiring one openly gay person or using a rainbow logo in June is not enough. Allyship vs performative activism becomes evident when workplaces adopt policies that protect queer employees, offer equal benefits, and foster inclusive cultures. The LaLiT is a rare hospitality brand in India with gender-neutral policies, LGBTQ+ hiring mandates, and constant sensitization training.
Support candidates and political movements that protect LGBTQ+ rights. This includes pushing for anti-discrimination laws, transgender protections, and equal marriage rights. Allies use their democratic rights for advocacy. As a brand, The LaLiT has openly supported progressive policies and spoken against regressive laws, proving that businesses can have a conscience.
Pride isn't just about protest—it’s also about celebration and cultural empowerment. Engage in queer art exhibits, read powerful works by LGBTQ+ writers, and immerse yourself in vibrant queer-led theatre, music, and culinary experiences. Hotels like The LaLiT champion queer joy with immersive experiences like drag brunches, inclusive movie nights, fashion pop-ups featuring LGBTQ+ designers, and destination weddings that honor all love stories. These events do more than entertain—they validate identities, create safe spaces, and build community. Globally, other hospitality leaders like W Hotels and Ace Hotels also embrace queer expression with annual Pride residencies, storytelling workshops, and community-driven festivals. Together, they spotlight the joy, resilience, and creativity of the LGBTQ+ community, far beyond the rainbow filter. Supporting these celebrations is one of the most joyful, visible, and lasting ways allies can help foster belonging.
Even with the best intentions, allies will make mistakes. What matters is how you respond—by listening, apologizing, and doing better. Non-performative allyship means growth and consistency. The LaLiT and the Keshav Suri Foundation often consult with LGBTQ+ leaders to audit their practices and make improvements.
From pioneering same-sex wedding celebrations to offering employment opportunities to transgender individuals, The LaLiT walks the talk. Their support is beyond rainbow capitalism—it’s rooted in human dignity. With #PureLove, they’ve built a legacy of non-judgmental, inclusive, and compassionate hospitality.
As Keshav Suri, Executive Director of The LaLiT, aptly feels it: “Being inclusive isn’t just a business strategy. It’s a reflection of who we are and the future we wish to shape—a future where love, dignity, and acceptance are universal.” His words are more than a corporate motto—they guide an entire ethos. Under his leadership, The LaLiT has emerged as a trailblazer in LGBTQ+ inclusivity within India’s hospitality sector. From abolishing discriminatory hiring practices to instituting gender-neutral policies, Suri’s vision has redefined what it means to be truly inclusive.
This commitment has inspired other hotel brands such as Marriott International, which promotes LGBTQ+ talent through employee resource groups, and the Taj Group, which has introduced inclusivity training across its properties. Suri’s approach emphasizes that inclusivity is not a checklist but a continuous journey of advocacy, education, and empowerment. In his view, allyship must be lived every day—in boardrooms, breakrooms, and beyond. With The LaLiT setting the benchmark, the hospitality industry is slowly but surely embracing a culture where all identities are not only welcomed but celebrated.
Being an ally isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up with purpose. True LGBTQ allyship means committing to the journey—not just waving a flag in June, but advocating for change year-round. Whether you're supporting queer-owned businesses, challenging discrimination, or learning how to be a better advocate, every action counts. As The LaLiT has proven through #PureLove and inclusive hiring practices, allyship is a daily practice rooted in empathy, not optics. So the next time you ask yourself how to be an LGBTQ ally, take the first step: show up, speak up, and stand by love—today, and every day. Let’s build a kinder world, together.
I'm glad to hear that you found the blog helpful! If you have any questions or need further assistance on any topic covered in the blog, feel free to ask. I'm here to help!
