Broadcasting LGBT+ support: the scope and limitations of presenting allyship

Purpose Advance knowledge about LGBT+ allies, their role and contribution, and how they voice support. Design/methodology/approach The research is based on an innovative video booth methodology capturing short video messages recorded by LGBT+ allies. A video booth is like a passport photo booth with an affixed tablet for video recording. The booth was placed in eight organisations during LGBT+ history month, inviting people to talk about their working lives and experiences of LGBT+ networks. Findings Due to sensitivities around identification, the findings are presented in the form of composite narratives of fictionalised characters composed by the researchers. Four versions of support were voiced by LGBT+ allies: “the proud ally”, “corporate scripting”, “professional/personal journey” and “pointing at others”. Employing Goffman's theory on presentation of self and scholarship on impression management, we illustrate how support is performed for the public and in public, using innovative data and methods of presenting it back to the public. Originality/value The article expands scholarship on LGBT+ allies by explaining the scope and limits of voicing, and potentially actioning, support. It also illustrates the value of using composite narratives when researching sensitive topics in management and/or organisations.