LGBTQ+ History Month Celebrates the Progress We Have Made

myGwork sat down with Alex Walsh, a Senior Managing Director at Blackstone, to find out more about why he thinks LGBTQ+ History month is important and what it can teach us about progress today.

Hello! Could you please introduce yourself and tell us about your role at your organization?

I am Alex and I am a Senior Managing Director in the private equity group at Blackstone. I am gay and live with my partner and our dog, Georgia.

Can you tell us a little bit about LGBTQ+ History Month?

LGBTQ+ History Month celebrates the progress we have made here in the UK in terms of the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ people, celebrates those who fought to achieve these freedoms and reminds us that there is still much work to be done.

Alex Walsh

Why is LGBTQ+ History Month important to you?

I believe LGBTQ+ History Month is important as it reminds us that, even though in some parts of the world huge, wonderful progress has been made in the majority of the countries being LGBTQ+ is still illegal and in many, punishable by death. For members of the LGBTQ+ community fortunate enough to live freely, it serves as a reminder that these freedoms were hard-fought and relatively recent; and it allows us to thank those to who made this progress happen.

Who are 3 LGBTQ+ people from history who are important to you? Why do you think their stories are important?

Like all minority groups, it is wonderful for LGBTQ+ people to see great, inspiring people from history who are ‘like them’. One such person for me is Alan Turing as I remember when I first became aware of the fact that he was LGBTQ+ and the sense of pride I felt.

Do you think LGBTQ+ people are represented in history books enough? Why?

I think that there are LGBTQ+ people in history but it may not always be apparent that they are LGBTQ+ and it would be great if that could be part of their story.

Were you taught about LGBTQ+ history in school?

I was not.

If you could add anything from the history of the LGBTQ+ human rights movement to the school curriculum, what would you add?

I think it would be wonderful if the Stonewall Riots were taught in school as this seems such a crucial turning point in LGBTQ+ rights that everyone would benefit from being made aware of. And closer to home, the introduction and repealing of Section 28.

What advice would you give someone wanting to learn more about LGBTQ+ history?

There is a wonderful museum dedicated to LGBTQ+ history here in London called Queer Britain and I would encourage everyone to look it up.