Haymarket's Kath O’Rourke tells us what Pride Month means to her!

What Pride Month means to me: Kath O’Rourke

Throughout June, we asked colleagues around the world what PRIDE month means to them, how they're celebrating, advice, recommendations and more.  Our first Q&A was with Kath, Senior Marketing Executive for Awards & Forums in Haymarket Business Media and part of our LGBTQ+ DEI Network.  Kath joined Haymarket in 2018 and works in our Twickenham HQ.

 

What does Pride Month mean to you?

Pride month to me means celebrating love and the many shapes/forms that it takes. It’s so important that we have this month, to remember all the people who fought for our right to love and be who we want to be. It is also to acknowledge the people living within the 43 countries who are still to this day anti-LGBTQ+. It is a month of protest, education and celebration for everyone in the LGBTQ+ community.

 

How will you be celebrating Pride Month this year?

This year I will be celebrating with my family at London Pride (pictured below in 2019!) and my friends/girlfriend at Brighton Pride. I will also be involved in the office activities for Pride month that Haymarket have organised!

What advice would you give to those who think they know someone is LGBTQ+ but hasn’t said anything to you?

Be a support system to them, let them know that you are there for them no matter what. That they can come to you if they ever need to talk. However it takes everyone a different amount of time to come out and some people don’t ever want to. Respect whatever decision they make whether that means confiding in you or not.

 

Why are “firsts” important? What other barrier breakers have you witnessed that have been important to you?

Firsts are important because they set the mark and start the ball rolling for other people. Without LGBTQ+ people in the past standing up for who they are, I wouldn’t be able to be with my first girlfriend, or experience first dates with other LGBTQ+ people. Those who stand up first and say ‘This is who I am and I won’t change for anyone’ are some of the bravest people in history.

 

How can allies make themselves more approachable to people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender?

It all starts with your language and actions, there could be so many people in your life that identify as LGBTQ+ that you have no idea about. So call out those offensive jokes, stand up for LGBTQ+ rights online/offline. Show up as an ally not because you know someone in the community but because you agree with equality for all.

 

We’re running a book swap of recommendations throughout the month - what book/article/TV show/film would you recommend to allies and the community?

• The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (film)
• Stonewall (film)
• We Are Everywhere: Protest, Power, and Pride in the History of Queer Liberation: A Visual Guide to the History of Queer Liberation (book)
• Stonewall: The Definitive Story of the LGBTQ Rights Uprising That Changed America (book)
• Larry Kramer in Love and Anger (documentary)
• United in Anger: A History of ACT UP (documentary)
• The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde (book)
• Its a Sin (TV show)
• Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement (film)
• Edith Windsor in Conversation (documentary-Interview)
• Proud (book)
• The Book of Pride: LGBTQ Heroes Who Changed the World (book)
• Sex Education (TV series)
• Heartstopper (TV series)

 

Where do you think the biggest work continues to lie with helping progress for the LGBTQ+ community?

There needs to be huge societal shifts, as so many parts still hold awful beliefs against the LGBTQ+ community and that takes time to change. One way this can start is at home by parents. Teach children that LGBTQ+people exist and they are to be respected. Breaking down societal norms behind closed doors. Homophobic and Transphobic people aren't born with those beliefs they are taught.

 

Who do you admire in the community, or is a great ally?

I admire so many people in the community. I admire activists like Munroe Bergdorf for continually standing up for all LGBTQ+ people. I admire my girlfriend  for loving openly and being truly herself. I admire my mum for being the biggest ally, teaching me that love lies in all genders and that it is never wrong.

 

Is there anyone in LGBTQ+ history you would recommend becoming more educated on?

I recently wrote pieces around 4 influential people within the LGBTQ+ History. Larry Kramer an Aids activist. Edith Windsor an American LGBTQ+ activist. Audre Lorde, poet and civil rights activist. Martha P. Johnson one of the first people at the Stonewall uprising. Definitely read up on these people and you will start to uncover so many amazing activists, allies and pioneers who worked alongside them and after them.

 

What more could Haymarket do to become an inclusive employer, where everyone feels comfortable to bring their true selves to work?

The key is to break down barriers and the culture that exists within society. Not letting those attitudes that exist outside to enter our workplace. Asking people about their partner and not boyfriend or girlfriend. Asking for pronouns on calls if you are unsure. Recruiting in different areas so that our workforce represents the diverse and wonderful people that exist within our society. I had such a great experience coming out to my colleagues at Haymarket. So I believe that we can become an even better workplace for all LGBTQ+ current and future colleagues.

 

For more information on Haymarket's diversity & inclusion programmes and initiatives please click here.