HALIFAX, N.S. — A recent study by the Dalhousie Gender and Women’s Studies Collective found that it is easier to be an ally to marginalized groups than ever. By comparing direct action to socially perceived allyship, the study suggests you can do half the work while being considered twice the ally. The bar for performative allyship hasn’t been this low since 2020.
The experiment tested how groups reached consensus on the best course of action to support the rights of marginalized groups under different circumstances. For instance, when one group was asked how to support trans youth struggling to access gender-affirming care, groups tested as follows:
-Four per cent of test groups believed the best course of action was to write to office officials -15 per cent chose to donate to a charity supporting trans youth -28 per cent said to tip their nonbinary barista extra well -53 per cent believed the action to enact the most change would be to repost a picture on their Instagram story of Pedro Pascal wearing a PROTECT THE DOLLS shirt
The Mackerel sat down with Elaine Matthews, a participant of the study.
“Of course, I think I’m a good ally to everyone,” Matthews said. “Whenever my boyfriend says the R-word, I’m like, ‘Oh my God, babe, stop! You are so silly, you can’t say that.’”
Matthews’ advocacy and allyship did not end there.
“I also stopped him from beating up gay kids,” she said. “I’m always like ‘Oh my God, no babe, he’s my gay best friend, don’t hit him.’ God, I love my gay best friend. My little Twinkie. He’s so cute. Like a purse.”
In addition to the results around perceived allyship, the study also found that more college students than ever believed themselves to support LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities while simultaneously voting for candidates who campaigned on stripping those groups of their rights.
By Sam Creighton