Being LGBTQIA+ in the whisky industry

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.

Isla, Peter, Lauren and Emma all identify as LGBTQ+, work in various areas of Holyrood (Brand Home, Distilling, Logistics and Marketing), and have taken different paths to get here. They all also have experience in other whisky/drinks industry companies.

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

“Absolutely, people need to be allowed to be themselves, but also not be actively afraid to be themselves – not have to worry, they shouldn’t feel anxious or scared that people ‘might find out’ something about them – whether that’s that they are same-sex attracted, or non-binary, whatever it might be. And other people need to call it out – transphobia, homophobia – and have their colleague’s backs.”

peter

“It’s nice when you can assume that most people know LGBTQ+ people in their own lives, and you don’t have to lie about yourself. But also so you don’t have to pantomime yourself – eg be ‘the gay person’. I just want to be me, I don’t want to hide anything, but I don’t want to be the token gay guy, or feel like I’m being asked to caricature myself.”

Do you think that the industry is welcoming and inclusive for LGBTQ+ people?

Lauren

“For me, you have to divide the industry – some areas I think are more welcoming and inclusive than others. I work in logistics, to be honest it doesn’t feel that inclusive – I think because it’s still so male-dominated, there’s still a lot of stuff that comes with that. There can still be a ‘lad culture’ and so you can still be on the receiving end of comments that are offensive, or – as a gay woman – even be invited into it! I’ve also had females act differently towards me when they have found out that I am same-sex attracted.”

Isla

“Being in a public facing role, it can be really difficult, I get men that will still refuse to speak to me about whisky, they want to learn from another man. They assume that i won’t know as much about whisky as they do, i’m just automatically shut down on just how i look. It’s so demoralising, but also makes me angry; especially when I know loads of women that work in the industry that are powerful and empowering. I think whisky’s ‘maleness’ definitely makes it look, and sometimes feel, really un-inclusive – and not just for LGBTQ+ people.”

Emma

“Yeah I think the gender split is still a massive thing, and – for me – that in itself could be enough to put young queer people off from entering what is actually a really brilliant industry. I think that they could be put off generally if they think it doesn’t look welcoming or inclusive, even if there are pockets and places that are. Representation is so important. For people on the outside who want to shift careers, or are passionate about whisky and thinking about trying it, it still looks so exclusive, and actually it can look quite intimidating.”

Peter

“I think – maybe – because I look like someone who is ‘supposed’ to work in the whisky industry, I probably haven’t experienced some of the stuff you all have, or even what other gay men might have. But then on the other hand I can find myself being invited into misogynistic chats between men, when they assume I’m straight; and it’s not a place I want to be. I’ve definitely not always felt able to be myself – there’s so many conversations where someone has asked me about my ‘Mrs’ and I’ve just answered in a way… that isn’t lying, but also isn’t exactly honest.”

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.”

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