Silent Allyship in 2025: Is It Enough?
In an age where inclusivity and representation are critical to shaping a better world, the question of allyship remains more relevant than ever. Can we afford to be silent allies, or is it time to take bolder, more intentional steps towards supporting marginalised communities?
This was the central theme of our recent conversation with Esme Whiteside, a passionate advocate and creative force in the wedding industry. Esme shared her thoughts on allyship, representation, and how businesses can do better in authentically supporting LGBTQ+ communities.
What Is Silent Allyship?
Silent allyship is the idea of supporting marginalised communities privately but not voicing that support publicly. It’s staying neutral in conversations, not challenging discrimination, and keeping allyship behind closed doors.
While this approach might come from a place of respect or fear of “saying the wrong thing,” it often ends up being complicit. As Esme pointed out, silence in the face of inequality can be harmful—it allows damaging narratives and systems to persist unchallenged.
Why Being Vocal Matters
Representation and visibility are essential to fostering inclusivity, especially in industries like weddings, where tradition often dominates. Esme reminded us that being an ally isn’t just about what you feel or believe internally—it’s about what you do externally to support and uplift marginalised voices.
In 2025, silent allyship falls short because it lacks action. Real allyship involves using your platform, your voice, and your privilege to make a difference.
The Power of Representation in Business
A key topic in our discussion was the role of representation in marketing and branding. Esme shared her perspective on why diverse representation—whether through LGBTQ+ couples, trans individuals, or people of colour—matters in wedding content.
However, representation must be meaningful, not performative. As business owners, we need to ensure that our marketing isn’t just a surface-level attempt to appear inclusive but a genuine effort to welcome and celebrate diversity.
How to Be a Better Ally in Business
Esme offered practical advice for those wanting to step up their allyship efforts:
Curate Your Portfolio Thoughtfully
Many business owners worry about tokenism when featuring underrepresented communities in their marketing. Esme’s advice? Focus on creating authentic, diverse content—not for appearances but to genuinely reflect and welcome all clients.Challenge Discrimination When You See It
Whether it’s a casual comment at a wedding or a problematic enquiry from a client, Esme encouraged us to call out harmful behaviour. Staying silent only reinforces these behaviours.Let Your Brand Speak for Your Values
Your marketing materials, website, and social media presence should clearly reflect your commitment to inclusivity. This helps attract like-minded clients and naturally filters out those who don’t align with your values.
Balancing Representation with Authenticity
One of the more nuanced discussions in our podcast revolved around the fear of “not getting it right.” How do you balance showcasing diverse couples without it feeling forced?
The answer lies in the intention. If you’re prioritising authentic relationships, collaborations, and connections, your work will naturally feel genuine. Representation doesn’t need to be perfect—it needs to be honest and driven by a true desire to make the industry more inclusive.
Handling Pushback and Hate
Esme shared her own experiences with online hate, a reality many allies and LGBTQ+ creators face. Unfortunately, advocating for inclusivity often comes with resistance.
But as Esme reminded us, staying silent isn’t the answer. Instead, she encouraged allies to stay firm in their values, to keep learning, and to use their platforms to educate and inspire change.
Resources for Growth and Education
To wrap up our discussion, Esme highlighted some resources for those wanting to deepen their understanding of allyship:
Mermaids UK: Supporting trans and non-binary youth.
Local LGBTQ+ Advocacy Groups: Get involved in your area to support meaningful causes.
Follow Diverse Voices: Creators like Stephanie Dreams and Rhiannon Neale offer invaluable insights into inclusivity in the wedding industry.
Final Thoughts: Allyship as Action
Silent allyship isn’t enough in 2025. To create a truly inclusive world, we must go beyond private beliefs and take public, meaningful action.
As Esme so powerfully articulated, being an ally means using your voice, your platform, and your privilege to uplift marginalised communities. It means showing up consistently, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Representation matters—but it’s the intention, effort, and authenticity behind that representation that truly makes an impact.
For more conversations about inclusivity and allyship in the wedding industry, check out our podcast, Perspective by Cinemate.
