Advice and Opinion - May 2025
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Posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 by Editorial — No comments
I’ve lost count of the number of times someone has said to me at work, “I’m an ally, by the way,” as if it’s a badge they can wear simply by saying it out loud. I appreciate the sentiment—really, I do. But allyship, like trust or respect, isn’t something you claim. It’s something you prove. Being gay in the workplace can still feel like walking a tightrope. Some days it’s fine, even empowering. ...
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Posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 by Editorial — No comments
Every June, companies across the UK change their logos to rainbows, host themed events, and post declarations of support for LGBTQI communities. On the surface, it all looks positive—a sign of progress and visibility. But for many of us who are gay and navigating the world of work, this annual explosion of colour often prompts a more complex reaction. We’re not ungrateful for the recognition. ...
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Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 by Editorial — No comments
Every Pride Month, companies share posts about inclusion, celebrate LGBTQI icons, and declare their commitment to diversity. As a gay professional who’s spent years navigating job applications, interviews, and office cultures, I can tell you: what matters isn’t what employers say during Pride—it’s what they actually do before, during, and after the hiring process. Too many organisations still ...
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Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 by editorial — No comments
Every June, rainbow flags are hoisted in office lobbies, company logos glow in colourful gradients, and LinkedIn fills with declarations of allyship. The sentiment is well-meaning. The visibility is welcome. But for many of us who are gay and have spent years working in professional spaces, these annual gestures come with a quiet question: do we remember why Pride exists in the first place? ...
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Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 by Editorial — No comments
There’s a common misconception that identity is something simple. That you can tick a box and be understood. But for many of us, especially those of us who are gay and come from other marginalised backgrounds—whether that’s race, gender, disability, or class—our experience of the workplace is shaped by far more than one label. And when we talk about inclusion, we can’t afford to talk about it in ...
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Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 by Editorial — No comments
Coming out isn’t a one-off event. For many of us who are gay, it’s something we do again and again—when we start a new job, meet a new colleague, or decide whether to correct someone’s assumption about our partner. It’s a quiet decision that happens in break rooms, in interview panels, in team chats and performance reviews. And it never feels the same twice. When I was early in my career, I ...
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Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 by Editorial — No comments
The evolving nature of connection in your 50s—especially for gay men whose circles shift with time There’s a moment that comes, often without warning, when you realise the group chat has gone quiet. Not just paused, but quiet in the way that a once-busy room now carries an echo. You scroll through old texts—plans made, jokes shared, voices you could hear in your head. And it’s then you notice who ...
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Posted on Saturday, May 17, 2025 by ALEX MARLOWE — No comments
Today marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia—a significant day in the global fight for LGBTQ+ rights and equality. Established to commemorate the landmark decision on May 17, 1990, when the World Health Organization (WHO) declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder, this day serves as a powerful reminder of how far we've come and how far we still have to go. ...
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Posted on Saturday, May 17, 2025 by Alex Marlowe — No comments
As Eurovision 2025 kicks off in Basel, Switzerland, the familiar spectacle of glitter, glamour, and unity unfolds across millions of screens. But beneath the shimmering surface, the contest once again finds itself at the crossroads of politics and pop culture. This year, a growing number of voices are questioning the double standards evident in Israel's participation, particularly against the ...
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Posted on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 by Ian Thomas — No comments
Pride Month is a time for visibility and celebration, but for allyship to really matter, it can’t just be about one month of the year. Being an ally isn’t about posting a rainbow on social media or attending a Pride parade – it’s about showing up, supporting, and using your privilege to create a safe, inclusive environment all year long. Allyship isn’t about perfection or checking off a box; it’s ...