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For most travellers, the vibrant atmosphere of duty-free shopping after security screening is the first stop on an exciting...
Pride Month - History. Solidarity. Love.
Brisbane Airport is a thriving connecting hub, a 24/7 Airport City that relies on the hard work and passion of thousands of people who come to work, every day, to help us connect our communities to each other and the world. This June we would like to acknowledge our wonderful team of diverse individuals who are at the heart of our success. While we are proud to recognise them all year round, we wish to highlight Pride Month as a special time of reflection, celebration and unity for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer and Asexual community. Together we will take the time to learn and understand the history of Pride Month and what it means to us all.
June marks a historic moment in modern history for the LGBTIQA+ and wider community, as it signifies the month in which the iconic Stonewall Riots took place. On June 28th,1969, during a police raid on a well-known New York gay bar, as officers arrested and physically assaulted gay, lesbian and transgender bar patrons, onlookers decided enough was enough and fought back. The Stonewall Riots were commemorated a year later with the Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day March on June 28th, 1970, which took place along Sixth Avenue from Greenwich Village to Central Park. This march, which was the first of it's kind, sparked similar events across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia - people taking to the streets to challenge discrimination, and march for LGBT right and equality.
While we as a society have moved beyond the level of intolerance and misunderstanding that existed in the 1960s and 1970s, LGBTIQA+ people still experience discrimination and hostility on a daily basis, simple because of who they are, how they identify, and who they love. This is why it is important to highlight events such as Pride Month, to not only celebrate and reflect on how far we have come, but also to acknowledge how far we still have to go.
Meet some of the proud LGBTIQA+ staff of BNE
For Pride Month, BNE asked a few of our LGBTIQA+ identifying staff some questions about their role at BNE, and about what Pride means to them.
Meet Ben, Procurement Category Manager
How long have you worked at Brisbane Airport? What is your role?
I work in the Procurement team at BAC and am still a relatively fresh face having joined in August last year.
What appealed to you about working at Brisbane Airport?
Well, it was RuPaul Andre Charles who suggested to “Sashay, Shantay, gather on the runway” so I took his advice! (If you know, you know! If you don’t, then I have a great TV show recommendation for you called Ru Paul’s Drag Race!)
In all seriousness though, I think most of us at BAC have a bit of a fascination and passion for aviation. I also love to get up and away into the skies so am very proud to work for a company that helps to make that happen for the people of Brisbane.
What is an important issue the LGBTQ+ community is facing?
I’m really pleased to say that my answer to this question used to be much longer! That is not to say issues don’t exist. One issue I am very passionate about is young LGBTIQA+ people from regional, rural and religious backgrounds who may not have access to support and materials that assists them to be their true, authentic selves. I personally grew up in a regional, highly religious household and had little awareness that I could live a full and happy life as a gay person. It wasn’t until I was in my late teens that I received any meaningful support or ratification from anyone other than a TV screen that I could be out and happy. There is a lot more content, and access pathways to content now for young people, but getting first-hand support and having actual people to lean on when you are young is so important.
Do you have any LGBTQ+ moments or people in history that you wish to celebrate?
A really special moment in my career was the 15th November 2017. When I got up to get ready for my day, I was surprised by an overwhelming dread of having to face the office on a day when society might publicly reject marriage equality. My day was quickly turned around arriving in the office to rainbow flags flying. TV screens around the office were switched to the footage and I was surrounded and embraced by supportive colleagues whilst awaiting the results (and my eyeballs might have been sweating a bit!) The subsequent cheering when the result was announced could have been heard miles away! That day will be memorable to me forever, and such a solid example as to why diversity and inclusion in the workplace is so important.
Do you have a favourite LGBTQ+ movie/show/media, and why?
Where to start: My favourite ‘serious’ films are “Prayers for Bobby” (2009 Film) and “Milk” (2008 film)
I love Will and Grace which I secretly watched in my teens as I wasn’t technically allowed to watch it. I think I’d still tell you it is my favourite show of all time! Another favourite show was “The New Normal” (2012 to 2013.) The main couple in the show had a dog named Harvey Milk-Bone (after Harvey Milk) which I shamelessly stole as the name for my dog!
Anyway, we could be here all day if I continued this list.
What is your key piece of advice on how someone can be an ally?
Just don’t say “oh I have a neighbour / friend / brother / cousin / colleague who is also (insert LGBTQIA+ label)” as if it is such a fun coincidence! It’s such an eye roller! :)
Meet Brady, Company Secretary
How long have you worked at Brisbane Airport? What is your role?
I am the Company Secretary for Brisbane Airport Corporation and have worked here for 12 months.
What appealed to you about working at Brisbane Airport?
I was excited to learn about how airports operate and be challenged in my career. It certainly hasn’t disappointed.
What does Pride mean to you?
For me, Pride is both personal and collective. It’s about celebrating the personal journey of self-identity and acceptance, while also celebrating the collective journey of queer people through history who went before us and paved a way for a better future. While I am much more than just my queerness, I stand with pride – not just for me, but also for those people who are finding their pride so that they know it’s okay to bring your whole self to every moment.
What is an important issue the LGBTQ+ community is facing?
While the world has come a long way in relation to accepting (not just tolerating) gays and lesbians, I believe that trans and intersex people are still very misunderstood and face a lot of discrimination (whether conscious or unconscious). This can lead to a myriad of physical, mental and socioeconomic issues. There is still work to do in helping people understand and accept those who are trans or intersex.
Do you have any LGBTQ+ moments or people in history that you wish to celebrate?
I still remember the day that the results of the Australian same sex marriage postal survey were made public on 17 November 2017 (less than five years ago). After a long journey from being removed from the Australian Medical Association’s list of illnesses and disorders in 1973 and being decriminalised in Queensland in 1990, the Australian people said that same sex relationships should be allowed to receive the same legal definition and recognition of their counterparts. While the process, and $122million cost, was not worth celebrating, the message and result certainly was.
Do you have a favourite LGBTQ+ movie/show/media, and why?
One of my favourite LGBTQ+ shows is a 2017 docudrama mini-series called ‘When We Rise’ (currently on Disney+). It’s set over a 45-year period in the US and tells the evolving history of the modern gay rights movement, starting just after the Stonewall riots in 1969. This mini-series is one of my favourites because it shows how the struggles for equality impacted cross-sections of the LGBTQ+ community. I’m still waiting for the history of queer Australia to be told in a similar way.
What is your key piece of advice on how someone can be an ally?
There is no single, right way to be an ally but it’s probably best to start with understanding why it is important to be an ally for LGBTQ+ people. Why not use Pride Month as an icebreaker to start the conversation on how you can be an ally for some of the LGBTQ+ people that you know.
Do you have any other thoughts on Pride/Pride Month that you’d like to share?
As much as Pride Month can be about celebration, you’ll also hear a lot of negative rhetoric in response to Pride Month (especially on social media). For some in the LGBTQ+ community, this can mean that Pride Month is a tough time – reach out and check in on your LGBTQ+ friends, family and colleagues. After Pride Month, remember that the word ally is technically a noun but it should really be a verb – keep showing up with your actions and not just an opinion.
Meet Mitch, Digital Communications Content Advisor
What appealed to you about working at Brisbane Airport?
I’ve always loved travel and have been fascinated by aviation and airports since a was a kid. Brisbane Airport Corporation is also such a big part of the Brisbane community and brings with it a sterling reputation.
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride to me has a dual meaning. It’s about looking back and acknowledging the pain, resilience, power and love of the LGBTQ+ community that fought (and died) to afford us the rights that we have today. It’s also about celebrating the present, moving past fear and shame, and living a more authentic life.
What is an important issue the LGBTQ+ community is facing?
The current misunderstanding, misrepresentation and marginalisation transgender people are experiencing is horrific. I believe that trans rights are this generation’s fight, much like marriage equality was predominately the previous generations.
Do you have any LGBTQ+ moments or people in history that you wish to celebrate?
Too many to list, but I have specific love and respect for the 78ers – the brave LGBTQ+ people who organised and participated in the first ever Sydney Mardi Gras, which was a defining moment in the Australian gay rights liberation movement.
Do you have a favourite LGBTQ+ movie/show/media, and why?
The 2014 film Pride is possibly one of my favourite movies – based on a true story about a group of lesbian and gay activists who empathised with the treatment of the families affected by the British miner’s strike in 1984 and raised money and awareness to support them. A funny, beautiful and charming movie with an ending that always brings a happy tear to my eye.
What is your key piece of advice on how someone can be an ally?
Accept that you will make mistakes – the world is evolving to be more understanding and accepting of LGBTQ+ people, and our language is evolving with it. If you find that you do misgender someone, or say something a bit insensitive, take a moment, apologise and reflect.
Do you have any other thoughts on Pride/Pride Month that you’d like to share?
Pride is ultimately a fun, vibrant and exciting time for all people, LGBTQ+ and allies alike. The older I get, and the more I shed the weight of shame and fear surrounding sexuality and gender, the more liberated I feel, and the more fun I have. Maybe this Pride month, take yourself out of our comfort zone for a moment and have some nonsensical camp fun – wear something colourful and bold, wear some makeup, paint your nails a wild colour, go to a dance class, go to a drag show – do something that goes against how you’re “meant to behave” as your gender and/or sexuality. It can be big, or small, but just make sure that it’s FABULOUS.
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