This year we’re celebrating Pride at Edelman by shining a spotlight on our LGBTQIA+ colleagues: their stories, experiences and reflections on what it means to be queer today.
Name: Adam Lynch
Pro-nouns: he/him
Sexual Orientation: Gay
What does Pride mean for you in 2023?
Living your authentic self. I think nearly all LGBTQIA+ people at some point have hidden at least a true part of themselves to some degree – be it from small things like avoiding public displays of affection like holding hands, altering the way they look or dress, right up to keeping their true sexualities and identities entirely hidden, all for fear of the reaction of others. Pride for me is overcoming this and feeling free to be my true self, not care about the judgements of anyone else, and living my life to the fullest as I choose.
What is the biggest intergenerational difference that you have noticed within the LGBTQIA+ community?
I think even in the past decade, there’s been a hugely positive shift with the younger generation in terms of expressing our personal queer identities. When I came out, it seemed like a large part of the community felt like it needed to align with a few (fairly stereotyped) identities or labels, at least visibly. Today, Gen-Z seem to be embracing an incredible spectrum of different queer identities, from a much earlier age, with so much more visible individuality. It’s fantastic. Some of my friends even talk about a second coming-out of sorts, as they start embracing more individuality as they hit their 30s, and are blossoming as a result.
What's the one action that you'd like people outside the LGBTQIA+ community to do to show their allyship towards your specific community?
Call out bigotry wherever you see it. Even the smallest actions can make a difference, such as not letting an off-colour “joke” slide. Often aggressors pick on someone they perceive to be isolated / in a minority, and then are emboldened if they can get away with it. By vocalising your support as an ally, we can show it’s the bigots who are in the minority.
