What drove me to become an ally – Celebrating #24HoursOfPride

Over the last 24 hours, HSBC colleagues around the world, from New Zealand through to Canada, celebrated #24HoursOfPride to highlight inclusion for the LGBT+ community. During the preparations for this day, I reflected upon the key influences that have shaped my views to date as an ally of the LGBT+ community. As a father of three wonderful children, it is important to me to help to build a more inclusive world for them to live in than my wife and I have experienced. I believe that every little positive difference counts.

 If I reflect on my childhood years in 1970s Wales, in particular my primary school days, I wasn’t as sensitive to issues of diversity as I should have been. I was as careless in my use of language as my peers, and never thought my choice of using certain words may have offended others who may have been struggling with their own sexual orientation and identity. Although I would never knowingly offend anyone, I had a lot to learn.

 As I entered the workforce, my social and professional circle of friends and colleagues became much wider and more diverse.  One particular work day stands out which really drove home for me some of the challenges that face LGBT+ individuals. A close colleague disclosed to me that he was gay. While realising this was a big step for him, what moved me even more was hearing that he felt like he couldn’t be open about it in the workplace and that it was tiring constantly pretending to be someone that he was not. He was especially concerned that the manager we both shared at the time, would view him differently if he disclosed to him that he was gay. Although I advised him to be himself every day at work - and that I would offer him any support necessary to do this – this didn’t happen until he left the company for a leader he felt would be more understanding. What a sad loss to the organisation that I worked for; twenty years later I know that individuals continue to make such choices. We need to do better and commit to change this; let’s not judge, let’s understand and support.

On a more personal level, which had a significant impact and made me question what image I put out to others, was when a close relative came out as gay. He told me he was specifically worried about telling me, as his perception of me was that I was a ‘man’s man’ and that I wouldn’t understand. The first thing I did was give him a big hug and a kiss. I’m happy to say that with strong support from family and friends he now lives each day as himself; that enriches his life and all of us around him. What if he hadn’t felt supported, loved and cared for?

I am fortunate to have worked internationally which has made me more passionate about driving equality and inclusion in the workplace. For me, both as an individual and in the role that I hold at the bank, it is absolutely critical that we build and encourage an equal and inclusive workplace; that we have an environment where we help and support our friends and colleagues be their true authentic selves. We want HSBC to be a place where all of our employees feel they can be themselves and where different perspectives help us service our customers better.

I am proud to be an ally and know each and every one of us can make a difference to build inclusivity at work and in the community at large. I hope you make a commitment to be more inclusive too. You can make a difference. #HSBCPride