What Being Out in the Workplace Has Taught Me About Allyship

By Corinna Hornsby-Walsh, Complaint Manager at AQA

I’ve had varied experiences of being out in the workplace – but I’m glad to say those experiences have improved over time! In my younger years, although colleagues were fundamentally accepting of my sexuality, it would often be the target of ‘banter’. Unfortunately, at the time I didn’t have the assertiveness to challenge this behaviour, or even recognise that it wasn’t appropriate in a professional setting (or, like, at all!)

I’m happy to say that at my current workplace, colleagues have been much more supportive. I started my organisation’s first LGBTQ+ Network, so in some ways, I’m out without thinking about it, which is obviously a sign of how comfortable I feel. For LGBTQ+ people, ‘coming out’ isn’t a singular moment but rather something you decide to do (or not to do) each time you find yourself in a situation with new people, depending on your safety at that moment. Disappointingly, my positive experience at work hasn’t always been matched by my experiences outside of work and I’ve twice received homophobic comments on my journey to and from my current workplace.

Allyship in the workplace starts with awareness and there are steps that all organisations and individuals can take to raise their own and other people's awareness. It’s obviously important for organisations to have the right infrastructure in place – for example, supportive policies and procedures, staff networks and staff training. Speaking from my own experience, the ‘small’ things really mean a lot too, whether it’s being asked if I have a partner (as opposed to a boyfriend), straight colleagues coming along to our awareness-raising events, or even having a chat about the latest Drag Race elimination over the coffee machine!