This Pride month we asked members of our LGBTQ+ community about their experiences in adland and how being LGBTQ+ impacts their work. Take a look at what they shared.
Cat Holbrook, People & Culture Coordinator
In what ways does being LGBTQ+ positively impact your work?
I believe the community thrives on openness and support, and that’s how I strive to show up to work every day—authentically myself.
Have you got a favourite campaign that has supported the LGBTQ+ community?
Throughout Australia’s Pride period, ANZ, a leading bank, transforms its public ATMs into “ANZ GayTMs” by adorning them with bedazzling rhinestones and vibrant decorations.
What’s the best way for colleagues to be good allies?
The best way to be a good ally is by being educated and being open to continuous learning.
Do you have any suggestions on how LGBTQ+ people can be supported at work?
We need to ensure greater representation of the community in our work consistently throughout the year, not just during Pride Month. Companies like Virgin Airlines and Absolut Vodka exemplify this approach. By weaving this representation into all our projects, our work will naturally advocate for inclusivity and diversity.
Tom Bayliss, Chief Client Officer
What’s the best way for colleagues to be good allies?
Be open-minded, ask the difficult questions and understand our differences and similarities.
What advice would you give to queer newcomers to the industry?
Be unashamedly yourself.
Do you have any suggestions on how LGBTQ+ people can be supported at work?
An employer is responsible for providing an environment and culture where anyone can be themselves authentically without fear. Other than that, I don’t feel my needs are any different from anyone else’s.
Mair Howells Stanton, Creative
In what ways does being LGBTQ+ positively impact your work?
As a creative I get the opportunity to positively impact the community through my work. Seeing things through our lens, creating a platform and increasing visibility for LGBTQ+/marginalised people.
Have you got a favourite campaign that has supported the LGBTQ+ community?
Looking Back with Pride by British Vogue is one of my favourite campaigns that has supported the LGBTQ+ community. I think it’s so important to pay homage to the people who paved the way for us today.
What’s the best way for colleagues to be good allies?
By listening, speaking up and showing out when needs be!
What advice would you give to queer newcomers to the industry?
Don’t be afraid to take up space, everyone is deserving of a seat at the table and everyone can bring something unique to it. Be yourself openly and unapologetically.
Do you have any suggestions on how LGBTQ+ people can be supported at work?
I believe we should be treated just the same as anyone else in the workplace, we want to come to work and do our jobs in a safe, inclusive and inspiring environment.
Simon Spencer, Talent Lead
In what ways does being LGBTQ+ positively impact your work?
It allows me the empathy to understand the needs of others. The ability to understand that the community that makes up a workplace is full of many intersectionalities and that no one way fits all.
What’s the best way for colleagues to be good allies?
I think the truest way is through action. Of course, it’s important for colleagues to vocalise their allyship but to truly be an ally you should push to action change where you can. Showing up for LGBTQ+ people is really important. A simple way to do this is to call out the jokes, the sly comments or the ‘banter’ as this truly has no space in the workplace.
What advice would you give to queer newcomers to the industry?
Just be your true authentic self – however that shows up! There is no right or wrong way and I think use that as a source of power and inspiration to others.
Do you have any suggestions on how LGBTQ+ people can be supported at work?
Provide an inclusive and supportive place where open dialogue happens. Ensure your benefits such as parental leave are inclusive for your LGBTQIA+ employees. Ensure better visibility and representation through your hiring practices so that LGBTQIA+ employees see themselves in leadership teams and within the agency as a whole.
Make sure to follow us on Instagram and TikTok as we share more content across the month celebrating Pride.
