Confronting discrimination as an LGBTQ+ ally

Jim Donnell, Business Analyst at AstraZeneca, spoke to myGwork about his experience of being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. From confronting discrimination to memories of the 1980s HIV pandemic, Jim's allyship towards LGBTQ+ people spans decades.

Can you please introduce yourself and describe your role within your organization?

Hi, I’m Jim Donnell and I am a cisgender straight ally with pronouns he/him. My day job is a business analyst within our mergers and acquisitions IT team, and if you know what that means, please let me know as I'm still working it out! On a serious note, one of the main responsibilities I have is to ensure business continuity between AstraZeneca and the organization we have acquired to protect the science and the asset ensuring potential new drugs and therapies can improve our patients lives.

What is your experience of being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community?

Within the community it has always been positive and warm. Outside there have been many times when I have confronted discrimination, however I may have mentioned I am a problem solver so relish the chance to educate people and help them along their journey as an ally. Doesn’t always work, but I will always try.

How do you think allies can be (more) vocal?

I became aware of my role as an ally in my teens back in the 80’s, the HIV pandemic, the hatred towards sufferers, combined with Section 28 helped me choose what side of the fence I sat on. It was different then as we didn’t have mass communication tools and growing up in a working-class town in Essex I almost had to hide my ally status as much as many young gay men hide themselves. The World is a different place now, much more accepting, much more willing to hear. Allies need to be confident in who they are and why inclusion is important to them, the voice gets louder when the confidence grows. For some that comes easy, for others not, especially if they face their own fear of discrimination.

How does your organization facilitate the inclusion of allies with your LGBTQ+ network?