It’s so important that we exist so that we can give queer people a reflection of themselves, which is all the great things about themselves, whilst also fighting and being a part of that progress and change.
Within the last 10 years, we’re starting to see more inclusive discussions like the non-binary and trans experience. Would you agree?
The biggest and most obvious shift is a more inclusive approach when it comes to identity. The approach for many, many years was absolutely around the cisgender experience, predominantly the male cisgender experience. And opening it up to our trans siblings, non-binary siblings, has been a massively important part of Gay Times history. And I’m really proud to have been part of that.
But also, I would say the other thing that’s shifted is this insular view and more externalized view. Realizing that our culture and our rights and who we are is so interconnected within the fabric of our wider society, but also the world at large.
What contributes to keeping Gay Times relevant?
The thing that I’ve really tried to do is build a company that’s more around a mindset of being incredibly open, inquisitive and not defensive about things. And ultimately, to be able to understand that the world is very complex, and two things can exist at the same time that might feel like they’re at odds with each other.
That mindset allows you to be open, and it allows people to speak to you and share things with you that maybe if you are more discerning or more closed off, that they wouldn’t share with you.
Ultimately, when we look at some of the media companies that are struggling now, I know people that are in those leadership positions at those companies. They definitely can carry a sense of superiority at times, they kind of feel like they’re better than the consumer or better than their audience or better than the world at large.
That is a shame because it really shuts you off from connecting with people about what they really care about and what matters to them. Having that open and inquisitive mindset is really important for me, and I try to instill that within our culture as a company, and that’s allowed us to maintain relevancy.
When something happens in our community that is different or unexpected, instead of judging it, we’re open to it. We allow that to happen. And then we’re part of that change in that movement rather than trying to keep things as is.
I think about how sometimes fashion media or fashion brands even can lose relevancy. It’s because they have that close view they’ve been so designing or potentially feeling above it, that actually they lose touch with that community quite quickly. Nowadays, that pace is quicker because consumers are moving on quicker, and the community is moving so much more quickly.
