During this Pride Month we took some time to consider what it does, or doesn’t, mean to identify as LGBTQ+ while working in the whisky industry. We invited some of our fantastic team to chat, and share their reflections on their experiences, but also their thoughts on what the industry could do to be more diverse and inclusive.
What does diversity and inclusion mean to you?
Isla
“Surrounding yourself with people who are different. I so love and value having friends and colleagues that are different and unique in their own way, it gives me a better view on life, understanding different experiences, different cultures.”
Emma
“Yes, and creating a safe space for people to be authentically themselves. Being able to harbour and be a safe space for a person. It’s so important that people can be themselves, and have the ability to set their own boundaries, particularly in the workplace.”
Lauren
peter
Do you think that the industry is welcoming and inclusive for LGBTQ+ people?
Lauren
Isla
Emma
Peter
What do you think the industry should do to be more inclusive and welcoming for LGBTQ+ people?
Peter
“There desperately needs to be more media representation of queer people – it would be amazing to see whisky adverts on TV that just normalised LGBTQ+ people, drinking whisky with their partner or their friends. The industry needs to visibly demonstrate how welcoming it is, and show that it is for everyone. We say it is, and in many ways it is – but we need to be better at that, not just say it, but do it and show it.”
Isla
“Definitely. We need more media representation – visual representation – people who look different in all ways, femme presenting, non-binary – if people can see it, they can be it. We also need to champion the queer people who are already in the industry, support them and give them voices, include them in decisions, value them, listen to them – give them a platform so that those outside can see them!”
Emma
“Yeah, definitely, championing people that are already here – showing we exist and are here – and so that we can say ‘you can do this to’ And something about softening that hard shell that can be perceived about whisky and spirits, that intimidating factor. Saying this is for everyone right? regardless of age, sexuality, gender, colour, any of that – we want people that will reflect the future of whisky drinkers, all people. And, you know, how far can we go in reaching out to the community, showing them and bringing them in. Intentionally getting our products into queer bars, into safe spaces. We don’t just want more people to drink whisky, we want more people to feel comfortable drinking whisky!”
Lauren
“Agree with all of that, we need to show that queer people do already exist in the industry, that we are here, we do have a voice. And I think there is still work to do in educating people and colleagues that are already in the industry, to continually learn and understand – language changes all the time – to understand what is offensive, to behave in a more inclusive way. The whisky industry can be so great, it can be such a fun and supportive place, but we need to do more to be actively inclusive. Diverse teams and different experiences foster creativity, whisky should absolutely be embracing diversity and inclusion.”