From Allyship To Action
Sawubona. In Zulu, this beautiful greeting means “I see you.” More than a hello, it affirms: “I see all of you — your pain and your passion, your identity and your dreams. I see your brilliance, your journey, and your humanity.”
My name is Traidy (he/him), and I live and work on the unceded lands of the Dharug people. I pay my respects to Elders past and present and acknowledge that this always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land. We at Chosen Family are committed to truth-telling and equity, knowing the fight for LGBTQIA+ liberation must be rooted in justice for First Nations peoples.
Why Pride Matters — Still
Every June, Pride Month offers us more than rainbow flags and glitter-filled parades. It is a time to honour the resilience and resistance of our LGBTQIA+ ancestors — especially trans women of colour and those pushed furthest to the margins.
In Sydney, We remember the Stonewall Riots of 1969, and the 78ers who led Australia’s own protest in 1978 — ordinary people who risked everything to demand visibility, safety, and dignity. “Pride is still a protest” slogan was developed. Because LGBTQIA+ people — especially those living with disability, navigating poverty, culture, faith, or racialisation — are still fighting for safety, access, and recognition today.
From Allyship to Action
Allyship is not a badge. It’s a practice. One that requires reflection, risk-taking, listening, and change. It means:
- Standing up when it’s uncomfortable.
- Creating spaces where people are not just included, but deeply welcomed.
- Funding, hiring, and valuing people with lived experience.
- Challenging ableism, transphobia, racism and classism within our own systems.
- And most of all — asking what people need, not assuming we know.
At Chosen Family, we don’t just aim to support — we aim to centre. We build our work using frameworks like intersectionality, person-centred care, trauma-informed practice, and Ubuntu — the African philosophy that says “I am because we are.”
Our community includes people who’ve been told they’re “too complex” or “too hard.” We say: You are not a problem to be solved — you are a person to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
To Our Queer Disability Community: This One’s for You
We know the world often ignores or erases your stories. But we see you. We honour your strength. And if you’re in a hard season — feeling crushed, under pressure, or in the dark — know this:
- Grapes must be crushed to make wine.
- Diamonds form under pressure.
- Seeds grow in darkness.
You are not broken. You are becoming.
Call to Action: What Can You Do This Pride?
- Reflect on your own privilege and bias — and commit to lifelong unlearning.
- Uplift disabled LGBTQIA+ voices, especially Black, First Nations and POC-led initiatives.
- Donate to grassroots organisations doing the work.
- Hire queer disabled people. Pay them for their time, labour and expertise.
- Check on your people. Ask what they need. Believe them.
Chosen Family Is Here for You
We are more than a service. We are a community — rooted in justice, compassion, and connection. Whether you are seeking support coordination, direct support, or simply a space where you can show up as your full self:
You belong here.
Because everyone deserves to be supported like family — a Chosen Family.
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