I knew many people in school and in my early career who were mistreated as they were thought of as being within the LGBTQIA+ community. Again, I question myself today – was I a good ally? Did I speak up for them? ‘Times were different’ I hear a lot now. But this doesn’t mean we cannot change our views and actions and learn from our mistakes.
When I was very young, we lost a family member who was in their 30’s, and I didn’t learn until recently that they were part of the LGBTQ+ community and had taken their own life. I wish I could go back and talk to them and guide them to the help they so needed which wasn’t freely available back in the 70’s. Fortunately, mental wellbeing is spoken about more freely today and Rolls-Royce has a great Global Mental Health Champion Network, I am one of them. We are also fortunate to have resources that can help employees like the Employee Assist Programme (EAP). I always listen to people if they need to share something, I never judge, and I do not ask inappropriate questions. Listening to someone sometimes is good enough. Being there when they need to talk and share their thoughts is what I try to do.
Having educated myself and built relationships with people from the community, I would like to think that I am now a good ally. I have supported our UK LGBTQIA+ network, Prism, for many years and now hold the role of Communications Lead. The role is so rewarding, and I gain huge satisfaction from it. You’ll always see me proudly wearing my Prism pin badge, I display my rainbow Teams background on virtual meetings, and I use my pronouns in my email signature (She/Her). These things not only show visible support to the community and that you are a safe person to talk to, it’s also a conversation opener for people who don’t know about Prism, want to learn more, and spread the pride I have for the community. I love attending and arranging Prism events. In fact, one of the best moments of my life was when I was asked to attend the British LGBTQ+ Awards in London in 2022 on behalf of Rolls-Royce and Prism, I felt so honoured I actually cried when I was asked. And I met Rylan, Tom Daley, Judge Rinder, and Steps, to mention a few!