The Impact of Lloyds Banking Group's Rainbow Network

Interviews

Jordan Fisher, Data Analyst at Lloyds Banking Group, talks to myGwork about his experience of identifying within the LGBTQ+ community, the impact of joining the Rainbow network, and his journey towards finding happiness.

Image Credit: Canva

How was growing up part of the LGBTQ+ community for you?

Coming from a small town, there wasn’t an LGBTQ+ community for me when growing up.

What challenges did you have with identifying the way you do in the time you were growing up?

The biggest challenge was having the confidence opening up and admitting to myself I was gay. I grew up in the 80’s & 90’s, I always thought I might be gay and put down all these thoughts and feelings I had to a phase that I’d grow out of then when that never happened I then felt that I had to hide these feelings and keep them secret, having Kylie & Jason, Footballer & Wrestlers posters on the wall thinking my parents wouldn’t realise and having a Man Utd Scrapbook under my bed which had a secret section of the players shirtless. My parents argued a lot when I was a teenager and I was always worried that if I came out it would cause further issues, I had this notion in my head that as my Uncle was also gay that my Dad would blame my Mum for it happening.

I was bullied a lot growing up as well weirdly not for people thinking I was gay, occasionally they’d use it as a derogatory term but it was actually more for the fact I was tall, not that sporty, bad skin and overly sensitive (e.g. tended to cry a lot) and not one of the “cool kids” and even though I had a group friends we’d never speak about things like sexuality and feelings, not even when I got to college. I have an older brother and sister as well but we weren’t close growing up to discuss these sort of things either, it was just something that you didn’t do at that time but also you wouldn’t see anything in media that would inspire you to open up and talk about things either.

After college I worked in a DIY store for 9yrs, which was a very alpha male dominated place but that was also when I first started fully experimenting with my sexuality and fully realising my attraction to men. There was more available support and online communities available with the internet but it wasn’t actually till I started working at Lloyds and meeting new people with much more open minds, seeing other openly LGBTQ+ people working and progressing in their careers and also when I first started using Twitter and speaking with more people in the community that I felt comfortable to fully come out.

What support did you have as a member of the LGBTQ+ Community?

There was none, there was nothing that the my school or college did to offer support or advice, I even remember in a sex education class asking a question and it got shut down and laughed at by the rest of the class. At colleague you just had your classes to go to and that was it there wasn’t much in the way of support or community groups or if there was they were not promoted. When I worked at the DIY store which was part of a nationwide chain there was nothing there like the Rainbow Network. There was nothing in local libraries or media and things like magazines were always put on the top shelf so you’d feel embarrassed or ashamed to buy them and anything that was would have been shown late at night which only added to my internalised shame.

What support do you wish you had as a member of the LGBTQ+ Community?

Someone who I could talk too, somewhere safe where as a community we could have met up and helped each other without fear of any repercussions. Seeing TV shows like Ru Paul’s Drag Race in mainstream media and shows like Heartstopper feels me with joy as it offers so much support, inspiration and hope to today’s LGBTQ+ youth. Who didn’t watch that wishing they had a Nick or Charlie or Elle as friends growing up or shows like it to show that it was okay to be who you are?

How is life now and how has that changed over the years?

I am happy that I can be open with my friends and family. I came out around 30 and I found it easier to come out to people almost in reverse order, so telling people I had only become friends with in the last year or so, and then eventually telling my family and long term friends last as I always thought they’d be angry that I had lied to them all these years. Turns out I didn’t need to worry, a lot of people said they already knew were just waiting for me. My parents have been great, even though they aren’t fully comfortable talking about it still, they are fully supportive and I am a lot closer to my sister as well now. I have amazing friends who I know I can talk to about anything.

Have you ever experienced Homophobia, Biphobia or Transphobia?

I have, but not as extreme as most of the community would have experienced. It has only ever been the odd weird look or derogative term but I think that my size actually works in my favour, with people not that keen to confront me.

Is there anything you still remain cautious of for our community?

There is still the obvious caution going out and how open you can be, its easy knowing your local area as you know what bars and pubs to avoid. There is also the surprising amount or blank profiles on dating apps that I do not interact with at all as you never know who is actually on the other end.

Can you tell us how working at Lloyds Banking Group as a community member has been for you? Has it always been this way?

Working here has been amazing and has opened my eyes to the support and community available. In 2018, I took part with Lloyds in the London Pride march and had the most amazing time. I would like to get more actively involved in supporting the community and the Rainbow Network as I previously felt that because of the role I was doing at the Bank I didn’t have the available time or opportunity to do so.

Why do you think it is important for LGBTQ+ people to have a network like Rainbow?

It’s important as it's comforting to know there is always the support there, whether you are a new member of staff or worked here for years. There is a wealth of knowledge and support that you can reach out for.

How do you think allies support LGBTQ+ inclusion?

Allies are extremely important, I don’t think I would be as open and as happy as I am without my allies, two of which I met whilst working here. To know you have someone who has your back no matter what, who you can talk and share all your thoughts and feelings with is so important.

Keep up to date with the latest myGnews

________

LGBTQ+ professionals, LGBTQ+ Graduates, LGBTQ+ professional network, LGBTQ+ professional events, LGBTQ+ networking events, LGBTQ+ Recruitment, LGBTQ+ Friendly organizations, LGBTQ+ Friendly companies, LGBTQ+ jobs