In honor of PRIDE Month, Ryan Burdick  - Multimedia Specialist at MWAA, shared his professional journey, personal favourites, inspirations and what inclusion and diversity means to him individually and in the workforce.

A brief introduction of your professional journey

Back when I was an intern new to the DMV, I was told over a particularly interesting cup of coffee “you’re going to have a lot of jobs in your career.” And so far it rung true! I’ve been fortunate to get to produce my own shorts, a sit-com pilot, work on an independent film that got into Sundance, work for Discovery Communications, a startup, Podcasts, and now serve as “the video guy” for two airports. I always gravitate towards opportunities where I get to pick up a camera, and seem unable to ever stop editing videos.

Do you have recommendations for LGBTQ+ people entering the business world who face situations of discrimination?

My recommendations for any LGBTQ+ person entering the workforce who faces situations of discrimination is to take a moment, remove themselves from the situation, and remain resilient. I wish I could give the advice to put on a sick pair of pumps, turn up a techno track, sashay up to the antagonist and with a single look end homophobia then and there. However, no matter how fierce you are, the unfortunate news is discrimination still is common in the business world. Struggles I have seen include not receiving company benefits for same-sex spouses, getting told that “you make a statement” by including positive representations of lesbians in media, and preventing future promotions of LGBTQ+ people. In all of these situations, I was powerless and only could verbally disagree. As I advance in my career, I have been able to quit jobs that were not good work environments or learn how to remain resilient and slowly change my workplace for the better.

 What can we do tomorrow for LGBTQ+ or diversity that can make a change right away?

Everyone can help the LGBTQ+ community by offering two things: equality and respect. First, really realize that by giving LGBTQ+ people equal rights, no one else is getting their rights taken away. It might sound extremely simplistic, but it is still extremely relevant today. After years of planning, I finally got to celebrate being married to my husband in 2021 with a wedding. I was extremely shocked how many friends/family responded negatively to my big day. They explained how my marriage threatened other marriages. Finally being married, I can assure you that my marriage did not take away a marriage from someone else.

Second, respect current gender identity discussions happening in the LGBTQ+ community. This is often discussed on social media as gender identities that are neither male nor female‍—‌identities that are outside the gender binary—‌or Non-Binary. Though these conversations are filled with complexity, these unique individuals deserve to be treated with respect just like anyone else. That usually is as simple as calling them by the name they introduce themselves as or using pronouns that are associated with them (example: she or they). It can be awkward at first (I don’t always get it right), but it doesn’t cost anything to pay someone a little respect.

How do you celebrate PRIDE and what does it mean to you?

I always look forward to Pride month in DC because it is an annual reminder of the progress made by the LGBTQ+ community over the last 50 years. It’s a privledge we are able to celebrate that! Usually for DC Pride, I’m out on the streets all weekend running into friends, attending events, and DJing a night away. It is usually one of the best memories of every year. Though in years like this one where the normal Pride festivities have been delayed due to COVID-19, it is not lost on me that many people still don’t get to openly celebrate who they are. I hope that in the next 50 years more Pride celebrations will be celebrated safely and joyfully.  

What’s a question you never get asked that you’d like to answer?

The question I’m never asked: “From your perspective, do you think about this [ assumption/challenge/requirement ] differently?” It’s a great question to ask someone in the LGBTQ+ community because a lot of us have experience walking the artificial boundaries that society has in place. By asking, you might be surprised at the new ideas, definition, or creativity that is possible.

  Any ‘ah-ha ‘moment you would like to share - Personal or professional

Yes, I have an “ah-ha” moment that applies to both Personal and Professional. At a young age, I was fortunate to find a podcast called “Feast of Fun” with Marc Felion and Fausto Fernós. I was lucky to have this alternative media source filled with stories and interviews of LGBTQ+ people not only surviving -- but thriving. One idea that’s stuck with me from that show is how to put acceptance and time into a different perspective. If it took me 18 years to come out to my closest loved ones as a gay man, and it takes them one year to accept it, then they are doing it 18 times faster than I did. It’s a great reminder that acceptance can take a long time, and patience can lead to profound change.

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