Blackstone’s Alexander Walsh: Pride Month can ‘advance conversation around LGBTQ+ representation’ in private equity

In recognition of Pride Month, PE Hub ?is running a series of interviews to elevate the voices of members of the LGBTQ+ community who work within the private equity industry.

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We start with Alexander Walsh , a senior managing director in Blackstone ’s?private equity group in London, where he focuses on the consumer, media and leisure sectors.

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Here’s an excerpt from reporter Nina Lindholm ’s interview with Walsh:

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What does Pride Month mean to you?

Pride for me is an opportunity for people across the LGBTQ+ community to come together and celebrate our inclusion and differences. It is a reminder of how much progress we have made, and of how far we still have to go, as a community that remains marginalized in many places around the world. Finally, it is an opportunity to advance the conversation around LGBTQ+ representation and inclusion, including in the business world.

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What challenges do people in the LGBTQ+ community face in the private equity industry?

Things have gotten a lot better for LGBTQ+ professionals in the private equity industry. For the majority of my career, I was not out at work and there was little to no senior gay representation in PE and the wider financial industry. This is fortunately not the case any more and we now have many amazing ambassadors in the business community. Living and working in London, this is a change that I’ve particularly noticed in my everyday life.

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But not everyone feels comfortable being their authentic selves at work, especially at the junior level. This fear is especially high in the community, where many of us grew up hiding this part of our identities in fear of being rejected by our families or peers. As long as there is one person left who does not feel comfortable being out at work, the mission will not be completed.

Read the full interview here and take a listen to our podcast featuring Advent 's Christina Drakos and KKR 's Brandon Donnenfeld as they share their own experiences coming out in the PE industry.