Although on the surface it may seem that as a society we have reached a more progressive reality, the truth is, there is still much more work to be done. In the year of 2025, homosexuality remains illegal in 64 countries, microaggression, harassment, discrimination, and violence still present themselves as significant daily issues for the LGBTQ+ community, and the leader of one of the most powerful and influential countries in the world, Donald Trump, openly expresses dangerous and hateful rhetoric regarding the rights and existence of the LGBTQ+ community. In light of the current political state of the world, We Can Do Better Than This is pressingly relevant, illustrating the nuanced realities of navigating life as queer through a collection of
hard-hitting yet inspiring non-fictional narratives.
Thoughtfully edited by journalist and author Amelia Abraham, We Can Do Better Than This, shares the experiences and knowledge of 35 LGBTQ+ activists, artists, and creatives. It encourages a much-needed conversation about how society can do better to ensure that the LGBTQ+ community feel safe, seen, loved, and accepted in every space they enter. Moreover, this manifesto for change explores six major themes: safety; visibility; dating, love and family; health
and social care; beyond the binary; and community and organising.
For those of us who are increasingly anxious about the persistent presence of inequality, discrimination, and division that seems to dominate the world of politics, We Can Do Better Than This is a crucial read. Although this manifesto takes you on a journey through some deeply saddening first-hand narratives of existing as queer in a world that is yet to be wholly accepting and encouraging, it simultaneously puts forward various ideas and arguments for positive
change. Ultimately, it will leave you with a feeling of hopeful drive and guided direction to continue every day to be a part of these efforts to establish a brighter future for the LGBTQ+ community. To quote Amelia Abraham, this book serves as a “roadmap,” “The ‘we’ in We Can Do Better Than This is therefore everyone who might be reading this book. As an ally it can be difficult to know where to start, where to direct your attention or your resources.” A key takeaway from this book is that, yes, it can be easy to feel helpless in the face of large-scale social injustices such as queerphobia; however, as individuals who care, as allies, we have more power to help create social change than we might think.
Fundamentally, We Can Do Better Than This powerfully emphasises that one of the most effective things we can do as allies in order to ensure that history does not continue to repeat itself, is to continuously listen, learn, encourage conversation, and stand by LGBTQ+ people who have tirelessly fought by themselves for far too long. By projecting the intersectional voices of the LGBTQ+ community that are often silenced, spoken over, and belittled in politics, and mainstream media, Amelia Abraham offers an unfiltered reminder and warning that we must not stop advocating for equality simply at the first signs of progress or progress for the Western
world; so long as LGBTQ+ people are still suffering globally, we are not doing enough.
– By Imogen Prince.