How to be an LGBTQ+ hero

Former CEO of Accent Housing Group, Gordon Perry, looks back on less enlightened times and ahead to an era of allyship and community.

There is a lot to celebrate in Pride month. We live in a world where acceptance of difference is becoming more mainstream, especially in the professional world. Although some of the advances we have made are under threat, we must continue to stand up for equality, diversity and inclusion and celebrate how our difference makes us stronger together.

I grew up in the 60s when homosexuality was still illegal until 1967 and openly ridiculed on TV and the press. Very few public figures were openly gay. It was a dark secret to be hidden from sight.

I went to a poor secondary school in a deprived area and was bullied mercilessly for being a “poof”, “fairy” and “queer” - even when I didn’t know what that meant! In those days there was no pride in being gay. I only came out in my twenties after years of desperately trying to be straight.

After graduating with an Urban Geography degree in 1979, I secured a post as a housing trainee at Bolton Council. I was very lucky to work for some amazing mentors who inspired and encouraged me. The director of housing John Roe was a big CIH champion and encouraged me to study for the CIH professional qualification. George Caswell followed John Roe as director and mentored me personally, giving me the confidence to speak up, innovate and challenge. He recognised my difference and supported me coming out at work. I also had an amazing manager called Hilary Eastham. She was the housing advice manager, passionate about homelessness, domestic abuse, and social justice. We had inspirational leadership at Bolton Housing throughout my 18 years, one that set the culture of “acceptance” of difference and celebrated diversity before it became political party policy.

I felt liberated and confident enough to travel down to London for a new life and become assistant director of housing at LB Camden in 1996. Before securing that appointment, I had been advised by several recruitment advisers to “soften” my northern accent and to develop more gravitas. I was even told to try to be a little “less camp” and grow a beard as I looked too young! I only accepted one of the suggestions and grew a beard. As my career progressed, I came to realise that being working class is another aspect of difference that can result in discrimination.

My message for CIH housing people is - be an ally at every opportunity. Challenge discrimination and champion equality, diversity and inclusion. You can change people’s lives by doing so. Mine was changed by some real housing heroes who had all people at heart, who encouraged me to recognise my own difference and to be proud of it.