LGBTQIA CRG spotlight: Heather Gentry

Step into the world of Heather Gentry, who shares personal experiences illuminating the importance of LGBTQIA visibility in the workplace. Heather offers valuable advice for young professionals facing unique challenges and for allies who want to support the LGBTQIA community. Discover how she celebrates Pride Month personally and professionally, and be inspired by her spirit of inclusivity and empowerment in the workplace.

Can you share a personal story or experience highlighting the importance of LGBTQIA visibility and representation in the workplace?

I came out late to my family as a working adult. They did not initially take it well, and it meant a lot to me that I was at a firm that allowed me to be out and accepted. This continues to this day at BPM!

What advice would you give young LGBTQIA professionals who are just starting their careers and may face unique challenges?

As much as you can, be choosy about where you work. An interview is as much an assessment of the employer as it is an assessment of you. Ask if they have an LGBTQIA affinity group or if you could start one. Ask how the company celebrates Pride Month in June and National Coming Out Day in October. And if they mention these things without being asked, it's a very good sign.

How can allies support the LGBTQIA community within the workplace?

Be more mindful of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day because some of us lost those connections when we came out. Also, don’t assume you know the structure of colleagues’ families. Chosen families can look different than the nuclear family, with everything from a platonic co-parent to non-monogamous partners.

What does Pride Month mean to you personally and professionally, and how will you celebrate this year?

One of my favorite activities is decorating, and I always have a display behind me for video calls. I’m celebrating Pride Month this year by decorating behind my desk with Pride rainbows and bisexual flag colors. It means a lot that I can show those colors in meetings and get positive comments from colleagues. 

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