Graham McKeown on LGBTQ+ History: "Every Day Is a New Learning Day"

Graham McKeown, Asset Servicing Oversight Manager and Co Chair State Street's Pride Network at State Street, spoke to myGwork about celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month.

Hi Graham - thanks for chatting with us. Can you introduce yourself?

I am Graham McKeown (official marriage surname Turpin-McKeown), Irish and I live in London with my husband, Peter and dog, Deiric! At State Street, I work in Global Delivery as an Oversight Manager within the Asset Servicing Department. On top of my day job, I act as co-chair of the UK Pride & Friends Network.

Do you have an LGBTQ+ hero you would like to highlight?

That’s a tough question to answer! I have so many “heroes”, whether they be in government or high-profile individuals who work hard or who have contributed to help shape the world to be a better and safer place for the LGBTQ+ community. Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today, though there is still a long way to go for the wider community.

Is there a particular story from LGBTQ+ history that is meaningful to you?

In May 2015, the Republic of Ireland (I’m Irish!) held its Marriage Equality Referendum to recognise same-sex marriage. 62% voted yes! This enabled me to get married on my home turf. I caught “the bouquet” (it was a like a rugby scrum between several women and me) at our friend’s wedding Tania & Marcus, in Galway 2016. That led to me proposing to my then-partner Peter in Vietnam Oct 2016, and within 12 months, we got married in Kinsale, Co. Cork on the 20 Oct 2017! 

Photo source: supplied by Graham

How will you be marking LGBTQ+ History Month?

Here at State Street, we have marked LGBTQ+ History Month and are doing so again this year. For 2023 we are taking the theme “Behind the Lens”, of which myself and my colleague Saptarshi from our Pride India Chapter will discuss how Film / Cinema and TV have made an impact on us as individuals in addition to the LGBTQ+ community and society over the years. We are delighted to be partnering with MYGORK on this occasion, who will moderate the discussion.

This year I will be partaking in State Street’s internal event on the 23 February.

Who are 3 LGBTQ+ people alive today that you think will be remembered in LGBTQ+ history? 

Elton John: for his music but also his charitable work under “Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Mary Robinson: Ex-Rep of Ireland President (the first female to hold this office from 1990 to 1997) who signed a bill fully decriminalising homosexuality and providing equal age of consent.

 Russell T Davies: for his contribution to TV shows. Some prominent LGBTQ+ programs include Queer as Folk, Banana, Years and Years, and It’s a Sin, to name a few. However, he needs to be recognised, too, as I am sure many Doctor Who fans are reading this.

What advice would you give someone wanting to learn more about LGBTQ+ history?  

If you are ever stuck for a movie or TV show to watch, there are so many available now with the prominence of streaming applications. Harvey Milk is an excellent story to watch set in San Francisco.  I won’t say too much as I don’t want to give too much away. Or search WIKIPIEDIA!

Do you think it’s important for workplaces to celebrate LGBTQ+ history month?

Yes, it is. Every day is a new learning day, whether day-to-day deliverables or within Diversity & Inclusion. That includes me. Even though I have been working under the LGBTQIA umbrella for many years, I do not consider myself an “expert”.  I would not have known that Coronation Street introduced its first trans character in 1998, which was the catalyst for the then UK Labour Government to start working and introducing Transgender equality policies.