“Being myself at work has made all the difference” - Simon’s story

My coming out journey

I came out when I was 18. I told my friends first and then my family. My Mum initially needed some time to process it. She had lived through the HIV and AIDS crisis, and her first reaction was fear. She worried about what my life would look like and whether I would be safe. Once she met my first boyfriend and saw how happy I was, she came around completely. I’m now happily married to my husband, Chris, and my friends and family all love and support me irrespective of my sexuality.

Building my career

I have always worked in retail and supply chain. My first job was as a Customer Assistant for another high street retailer when I was 16. After university, I built up experience across retail and also worked in data for an insurance company.

I joined M&S two years ago as an Inventory Planner in the Forecasting and Inventory team. My brain works well with tangible goods, so supply chain feels like the right fit. I chose M&S because I wanted to return to retail and it felt like the right place for me to grow and develop.

Feeling included

One of the things I value most about working here is the freedom to be myself. I can paint my nails, dye my hair and walk into work feeling confident, knowing I will be welcomed as I am. At my interview my nails were painted and the manager even complimented me on them. It was a small gesture, but it meant a lot to me.

I feel part of a team that really cares. My line manager is brilliant, and I know I can rely on the people I work with. That sense of belonging makes a real difference to how I feel about coming into work each day.

Earlier this year, I gave my first Pride presentation to around 100 colleagues in the Commercial and Operations team. It was my first time speaking publicly at M&S, so I was nervous, but the response was incredible. Afterwards I felt proud of what I had achieved and moved by the encouragement I received from colleagues.

Pride & progress

I really appreciate that M&S champions Pride events across the country and marks key dates in the LGBTQ+ calendar. It feels good to work for a business that celebrates these moments with colleagues and customers. At the same time, I believe there is room for us to be even louder and more action focused. That is why I joined the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion working party in the Supply Chain team. For me, Pride is not just a fun and colourful day, it is also an opportunity to push for progress and lasting change and challenge allies on what actions they actively take to support the LGBTQ+ community.

Wellbeing & resilience

For most of my life I have enjoyed good mental health, but there have been moments that shaped me. At university, I sadly lost a friend to suicide who had struggled with his sexuality, and it made me more aware of the importance of looking after my own wellbeing and checking in on others too.

A few years ago, I went through a difficult period with anxiety. What helped me most was being open to trying different approaches, including therapy and medication, until I found what worked for me. That experience has made me much more resilient. My advice to anyone who is struggling would be to reach out and explore the options available. Taking that first step can make a real difference.

Advice for others

There is no place for hatred or discrimination in this world. At M&S I am respected for who I am and valued for the contribution I make. A lot of the fear around coming out is about the “what ifs” - what will people say or think? In my experience the culture here is positive and people are keen to understand and encourage you.

I believe it is important to make friends at work and to surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you. You can achieve anything if you stay true to yourself and treat others with kindness. For me, M&S is a place where I can be myself, feel valued and build a career I am proud of.

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