Harry Wordsworth on National Coming Out Day and Workplace Diversity

National Coming Out Day is an increasingly important day for the LGBTQ+ community, helping to provide an opportunity for closeted people to express themselves fully. Even for those confident in their identity, the workplace can often be a difficult place for staff members to feel completely open. We reached out to Harry Wordsworth, Chief Customer Officer of Oracle's Application business, to discuss his experience as a gay man advancing in his career and the importance of encouraging workplace diversity.

Can you tell us about yourself and your career journey?

I started off working in Financial Services after university, where it was tough being my authentic self. The industry didn’t have much diversity. Being gay was not promoted or even talked about, and I believe a lot of that came down to a lack of awareness and education. There was a lot of stereotyping that went along and still does, and I felt pressured that I couldn’t be who I was.

As I advanced in my career, I moved to Experian, and I had also come a lot further in my own personal journey, so started being my authentic self. It was at Experian that I let colleagues know that I was gay and felt comfortable doing so. It was during my journey at Experian that my husband and I adopted our 2 beautiful boys.

I then moved onto my current journey at Oracle. The support I had around me allowed me to be my authentic self. Oracle asked me to join resource groups and then to eventually chair our OPEN committee to support, promote and educate our LGBTQ+ community and work with our allies. It's with this personal and professional journey that I have been on and continue to be on that allows me the experience to share with whoever wants to listen. 

What would you describe as the biggest highlight of your career?

In 2021, I got promoted to the UKI Leadership Team for our Applications Business as Chief Customer Officer for UK and Ireland. Followed by being elected Chair of our UK Diversity and Inclusion Board across all our business units. 

We’re excited to have you speak on our upcoming panel for National Coming Out day – what does this day mean to you and why do you think it is important? 

Firstly, a massive thank you for asking me to speak. Just like Pride month, it’s great to recognize there’s a dedicated day where focus and support is heightened. Eventually, coming out should hopefully become a non-issue if many organizations and countries are as supportive as Oracle.

Could you tell us about your coming out story?

Like a lot of my friends that I’ve talked to about this, mine came out purely by accident. Unplanned. I was 18 in a heated discussion with my mum. Despite knowing I was attracted to the same sex at the age of 11/12. She had heard from her friend that somebody was gay in my school and wondered if I knew them. I had a feeling she was angling here (parents always know), so I came out at that moment.

It’s a shame I kept it bottled up for several years. This is something I want future generations to avoid so that they can enjoy their teenage years to the fullest. Being Middle Eastern, I was worried about what would happen following my discussion with mum. To my surprise, I was extremely lucky that my extended family were welcoming. I appreciate this is not the norm for the majority of people, and hence days like this, and me speaking up to say it’s perfectly okay, may give even one person the confidence to become their authentic self. 

 
What are some barriers for LGBTQ+ people to come out in the workplace?

There is a lack of both diversity in organizations, and a lack of awareness regarding LGBTQ+ issues. It’s still the case that many cisgender and heterosexual people don’t understand sexuality or gender issues. They have only ever understood the binary. Education is key here, and I’m pleased to see in primary schools now that family dynamics and LGBTQ+ issues are now being taught at every level. There are many different types of families and people. When this is normalised, children grow up without any prejudice towards us.

In the workplace, we’re all older. None of us were educated in schools about these issues. There are still many people who hold bigoted views (whether subconsciously or not), which is a huge barrier for us. We can face judgment before we’ve even begun to perform our jobs. It can be intimidating. Again, the key here is to educate in the workplace. Nobody is too old for education. 

 
What do you think organizations can do to make it easier for LGBTQ+ people to come out at work? 

Accelerate the diverse workforce to allow more progressive and inclusive cultures. Continue and create employee resource groups that focus on LGBTQ+ and others to allow safe spaces and support. Empower and educate management. 

What advice would you give to someone nervous to come out?

Do it in your own time. There is never any right or wrong advice but do it only when you’re ready. There are no time pressures. All I would say is it’s always been an enormous relief when I’ve told people, and I continue to have to tell people even today. Most people are wonderful. Some people even these days have bigoted views. But even so, it’s always a relief.

Hiding something as important as this has always felt like a burden to me. If I can offer any support to anyone feeling nervous, I’m always available so please call me. 

What are some ways that Oracle is supporting their LGBTQ+ employees?

Oracle is a very progressive global organization. We have various Employee resource groups, of which OPEN (Oracle Pride Network is one); We work with external partners and their resource groups and jointly promote, educate and support our Customers and employees and our Country Leadership Team have created a new D&I Board across all lines of business in the UK to centralize and focus on what is needed the most. 

What would you like to see next in the conversations for LGBTQ+ equality? 

Promote intersectionality - this would help tie in all minority groups.

The opinions expressed in this article are the personal views of Harry Wordsworth, not the views of Oracle.

Harry Wordsworth will be joining myGwork for a panel on October 11th 2022 in celebration of National Coming Out Day, where he will further discuss the nuances of coming out and how we can create a more inclusive workplace. Register now to take part!