_National Coming Out Day: Agri-business consultant Tom Heathcote shares his coming out story

For many in the community, National Coming Out Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of change that needs to happen in places of work, on a broader legal and socio-political level and to stand in solidarity with others in their decision to 'come out' to peers.  

Focusing specifically on the workplace, many in the LGBT+ community will stress the need for more root-level education, awareness and support so that those still afraid to disclose their sexuality at work can come out safely and without prejudice.  

Encouraging loud, authentic voices and hearing both positive and challenging stories from those that have come out to colleagues is part of the larger process for individuals and the wider LGBT+ community to win respect, visibility and acceptance across industries and sectors, especially in those workplaces that still need to come a long way in terms of progression and inclusivity.  

Tom Heathcote, Head of Agri-Consultancy at Knight Frank, shares why coming out still matters in the UK, having started his career in the rural sector.

Tom highlights that the industry is, "slow to change" but "getting better" with the support of organisations such as NFU, Farmers Weekly and Agrespect who are raising the profiles of the LGBT+ community working within it.  

Below, he charts his personal coming out story hoping it's relevant and liberating to others in the rural sector and the wider property industry yet to 'come out'. 

How did you start your agri-business career? 

Throughout school and university I was fixed on joining the Royal Navy to fly helicopters and had a place lined up after I finished my studies. One of my friends had a family farm in Oxfordshire and I went to work for them during the Easter break as a lambing student. 

After that I went back to work as a harvest student for a few years and when I finished university I decided to give up my place in the Navy and work in the rural sector.

My first job was milking cows on a dairy farm! I then went on to complete a masters degree and began my career as an Agri-Business consultant at another firm before joining Knight Frank two years ago. 

Did you decide early on to disclose your sexuality and did it meet your expectations?

I had already told my closest friends and felt amazingly supported, but I wasn't sure what to expect from colleagues. Really, I could not have asked for a better response.

I can still remember the office Partner's colourful words, "Tom, I really don’t care about your sexuality and no one here will either, and if they do then I will deal with them!"

The rest of my colleagues were totally fine about it. I feel very lucky as I have gay friends in other businesses who had a pretty rough time telling colleagues.  

The rural industry is historically conservative – were your expectations met or challenged?

I am very fortunate that I have never experienced any direct homophobia in my career so far. The majority of my clients know I am gay and have never made an issue of it. 

A few years later it came up in conversation with one client and he said, "I pay you because I like your attitude and you give me good advice, it makes absolutely no difference to me if you are gay or straight". I think that sums up the views of most of my clients. 

Whilst my experience is positive there are those in the industry who feel repressed and unable to express their sexuality, which is really sad. The reality is that if someone had an issue with it, then I would simply not work for them. 

I feel that in a large part, closed-minded attitude is a generational issue with far greater understanding and inclusivity prevalent among younger generations. There are exceptions, of course. 

There is some great work being done by LGBT+ organisations such as Agrespect @weareagrespect who promote and support equality, diversity and inclusion in rural communities.

What do you think needs to change and why is this sector traditionally hostile to the LGBT+ community? 

I think that historically it was quite hostile, but I feel that is more a reflection on the UK as a whole than the sector although it has certainly taken longer to change its views than other industries.

Many rural communities were and remain very religious and I think that this is where parochial views stem from, especially among those whose formative years were influenced by homosexuality still being illegal.  

Sadly, there is a small minority who fundamentally have an issue with the LGBT+ community and then there are those who are unintentionally or 'casually' homophobic. 

I recently saw a picture on Instagram of a man in a very bright colourful t-shirt in a tractor with the slogan ‘probably the gayest t-shirt I own’ written on it. While that does not personally offend me, the use of words such as ‘gay’ and ‘queer’ carries implications which many LGBT+ people will find upsetting.

In this situation I am sure the individual was not setting out to be homophobic, but that is the unintended outcome of it and I feel that we need to do more to address this in a wider context.

Is it getting better?

I think that it is certainly getting better, yes. But the industry certainly needs to address casual homophobia which is rife.

Organisations such as the NFU, Farmers Weekly and Agrespect are doing a wonderful job raising the profiles of the LGBT+ community and change is happening albeit it feels like at a snail pace at times. I think we will see the biggest change in attitudes among the younger generations, which is a good thing.  

How has Knight Frank supported your journey?

I joined Knight Frank as an openly gay person and from the start it has been an incredibly positive journey. There is a great LGBT+ network at Knight Frank which is in place to support those who are open with their sexuality and those who are still coming to terms with it, as well as raising awareness amongst allies of the issues faced by the community.  

Our ambition is that every member of Knight Frank feels that they can be themselves and be respected for being so. Our commitment to ‘Respect, Diversity and Inclusion’ is supported by a framework of Balance Strategies across the business.

We are an inclusive employer committed to recruiting and supporting balanced teams in every part of our business.

Find out what it's like to work at Knight Frank or search for your next opportunity in the property sector. You can also read more about National Coming Out Day and the importance of an inclusive workplace on the Stonewall website.