National Coming Out Day: A Conversation with Christina Peach, Kev O'Sullivan & Nathan Woodhead

To mark National Coming Out Day we sat down and spoke to speak to Christina Peach, Account Director & Brand and Inclusion Specialist, Nathan Woodhead, Creative Director and Kev O’Sullivan, Executive Creative Director to hear their coming out stories and find out what it is like being out in the workplace today.

From left to right; Kev O'Sullivan, Christina Peach and Nathan Woodhead

When did you come out first?

Christina Peach (CP): I came out confidentially to my friends when I was 15 years old.

Kev O’Sullivan (KO’S): To a colleague at my first ever agency. She was very drunk at the time and she cried. So I went back into the closet for a few more weeks. Eek.

Nathan Woodhead (NW): The first person I said I think I might be gay to was my sister, I can’t remember how old I was (maybe 13) she responded by saying something about going clubbing together one day and then it was never mentioned again until I came out properly.

When did you come out to your parents?

CP: 2007, even though my parents are together I came out to my dad first. I remember it well, he was picking me up from the local pub that I worked at and I handed him a letter that he read before we set off on the drive home. He cried but said that he already knew.

KO’S: About 18 months later. My siblings encouraged me to keep it a secret as my parents “were from a different generation”. I never really do as I’m told. I informed my mum and dad regardless. We never really connected again afterwards, despite me marrying and divorcing a man they’d met. I urge my LGBT+ friends to never take their accepting families for granted - unfortunately, it’s not a given.

NW: I was 14, my mum used a chicken as a narrative device and, in a very sweet and clumsy way, asked me something about whether or not I liked breasts. It was all over and done pretty quickly, she immediately told my dad who came into the kitchen and announced ‘I’ve known since you were about ten you puff’ which sounds a bit off now, but at the time it was a beautiful moment, his way of saying I don’t care - my whole family normalised it very quickly, even before they really understood it.

When did you come out at work?

CP: I’d always kept quiet about my personal life when I got my first real job in finance and it wasn’t until I moved to London and landed my job at FleishmanHillard that I felt comfortable with coming out.

KO’S: Aside from making a colleague cry? I dunno, it just kinda happened. The industry always gave me the acceptance, encouragement, love and ally-ship I dreamed of.

NW: The first time was when I worked at a hotel, first Friday at the job and I ended up kissing a guy called Terry who was a shift manager. I don’t really think you ever stop coming out at work though. That said, these days I’m so good at being gay very few people need to ask…

What was the best part?

CP: I’d built up in my head that people would think differently of me in a professional capacity if I came out at work, but the reality was very different. For the first time I felt at ease with the people and the environment I was working in to be able to bring my true self to work. It has also afforded me opportunities to hone my passions of supporting the LGBT+ community through pro-bono campaign work.

KO’S: Every single boss, colleague and client has just seen me. They couldn’t give a crap that I’m gay. I feel very free and fortunate.

NW: I think the ability to be yourself every day is pretty brilliant and as I’ve got older I’ve realised that the more comfortable I am with being a part of the queer community the easier it is to be open about it.

In your opinion, how can an organisation and its clients profit from a diverse workforce?

CP: Diversity, equity and inclusion is a business imperative that will affect the bottom line if not acted upon.

If we look at the PR and Marketing industry its extremely important that the people behind the campaigns reflect the communities that its serving.

How businesses react and express themselves on topics such as LGBT+ have huge impacts on consumers – 67% of people say that it affects purchasing decisions and 66% of people say it’s now more important that companies they buy from have a diverse management team.*

KO’S: It’s simple, work with the same old people in the same old way, get the same old ideas. The LGBTQIA community have very good ideas.

NW: If we want to lead fulfilling lives and make good work we have to learn and improve constantly and we do that by surrounding ourselves with people who are different, people who have their own world view. It’s vital that we see the world around us with wide eyes (and very open minds) but that can’t get anywhere near the value of lived experience.

The idea of proving how queer people can help deliver profits feels a bit vulgar but I will say this – a happier, colourful and complex group of people will bring you bountiful beauty and anyone worth working with wants to buy that.

What advice would you give the younger generations of LGBTQ+ people looking to get started in the industry?

CP: Be passionate about the change you want to make and look for opportunities to help you make that change.

Connect with industry LGBT+ networking groups and its members – Intercomms and Pride AM are great resources to help you understand more about the industry as an LGBT+ person and LGBT+ advertising and marketing.

KO’S: Hurry up! We need you!

NW: Your early work years form the basis of the rest of your career and as you begin to learn, grow and evolve you’ll be shaped by what’s around you. Find a place with a culture of acceptance, ask about D&I credentials and avoid anywhere that doesn’t offer an environment you feel comfortable in. Most of all, please can you get your skates on because we are waiting and we want you.

Growing up, who was your LGBTQ+ role model?

CP: It sounds cliché and very noughties but Tegan and Sara were my heroes and the soundtrack to my youth.

KO’S: Peter Tatchell - frickin’ fearless!

NW: I spent quite a bit of my youth filled with shame, almost all of the role models in popular culture were very openly gay and it made me so uncomfortable in myself. I see those men now, people like Julian Clary, Paul O’Grady and Graham Norton and I’m deeply proud of the path they forged for all of us in popular culture. I’m grateful.

Who is your LGBTQ+ corporate role model and why?

CP: Lady Phyll, she is a force of nature and her commitment to improving the lives of QPOC is nothing short of incredible.

KO’S: Paul McCaffrey who runs Publicasity. He has been my friend, colleague and gay mentor for almost 20 years - he experienced things, reported back so I didn’t have to. Fun, funny and inspirational.

NW: My first ever Creative Director is a smart, passionate, compassionate and kind woman named Ali, she taught me the foundations of what I know about working in creativity and I adore her, her wife and their beautiful son.

Do you have an LGBTQ+ ally role model?

CP: Not least because she’s a gay icon but more so her unwavering advocacy of LGBT+ rights – Pink.

KO’S: My colleague and buddy Lauren Winter is not only focused on driving equality for LGBT+ but pushing our community to be truly great. I see her energy in my creative colleagues but also the youngest talent.

NW: I work with VAULT Festival, a huge annual arts festival that takes place beneath Waterloo Station each year. Mat Burtcher and Andy George the co-founders are two of the greatest LGBTQ+ allies I’ve ever met. Their vision for the festival is one of inclusivity, acceptance and opportunity for everyone.

How do you think allies can support their colleagues coming out?

CP: If someone is choosing to come out to you, it shows that you are important to them and they can trust you. Reassure them of your friendship, support them and if you don’t know much about LGBT+ then make sure to educate yourself on the topic.

If you think someone might be LGBT+ but has not disclosed, don’t force them to. It takes a lot for someone to come out to their family, let alone their colleagues. Instead, support them and create a safe, diverse and equitable culture at your place of work.

KO’S: No pressure, please. This is a big moment that must come naturally - just be there with a hug and a trip to GAY - does that still exist?

NW: Be kind, be patient and don’t assume.