Visual Merchandiser Roxanne Gates talks about her experience as a pansexual woman working in fashion
BY DYLAN MANN-HAZELL
Roxanne Gates spoke to myGwork about how her passion for fashion led her to the supportive network provided by Marks & Spencer. She describes her journey from Visual Merchandiser to the Marketing team at M&S, and finding peace with her identity as a proud, pansexual woman.
Could you tell us about your background and career journey leading up to your current position at Marks and Spencer?
It always sounds cliché when people say “for as long as I can remember” but in this case it’s true: I’ve always wanted to work in the fashion industry. My challenge was that I didn’t know where in the industry I wanted to work or how to get there. I thought I wanted to be a fashion designer, so I went to my local college to study pattern cutting and garment construction part-time while working. It was there that I learned about the role of the Stylist. I was told that the Stylist puts all of the designer’s looks together to tell a story. The idea of doing this as a job really lit something up inside of me and I knew that was what I wanted to do.
Eventually, after moving home from London, my Dad convinced me to apply for a fashion role at home. I started applying for jobs and came across a role at my local M&S as a Visual Merchandiser. This role screamed at me to apply, and I put my heart and soul into the application and interviews (even visually merchandising my kitchen to prove that if I was given a mannequin, I could do something even better!). I was so pleased when I was offered the job!
I spent 18 months in that role, learning all about visual merchandising and as much as I could about M&S. I absolutely loved creating visuals that enticed customers to shop with us and inspired them to try new things in their wardrobe. Then came the opportunity that brought me to exactly where I am today, the RISE (Recognising Internal Store Experience) Programme. The programme has allowed me to expand my knowledge and network across the business and discover where I’d like to develop my career and how to do that. After completing placements in buying, sustainability and marketing, I have combined the latter two to now work in the Clothing & Home marketing team to play a key role in showcasing the work we do as part of our Plan A, sustainability roadmap. To do this at M&S also feels like such a privilege because I grew up going on days out with my family to the store that I started working at and now my work goes into that store and others across the country – a real pinch-me moment!
Can you share your personal journey within the LGBTQIA community?
Like everyone else, I have grown up in a heteronormative world. So, when I started to question my sexuality, I thought the feelings I was having as a cis female, for other females, were wrong. Every time I saw media like a lesbian relationship on TV or heard Katy Perry’s I Kissed a Girl on the radio, I instantly felt guilty!
I kept my thoughts to myself as I grew up because of this guilty feeling that was attached to them and eventually found an amazing group of friends in Secondary School, many of whom I am still friends with today. We all navigated being in the LGBTQIA community together and I feel very fortunate to have had such supportive friends then and to still have them today.
I contemplated being bisexual from the ages of 11-14 and at 14 decided I was a lesbian. I came out to my parents when I was about 16 and had been in my first relationship with another girl for some time. I was extremely nervous, but they were very supportive of me which naturally, was a huge relief. At the time when I was living with my parents in Spain, I realised that I was actually bisexual and more specifically, pansexual. This came with some humour as I had to come out to my parents again which isn’t something I thought I’d do twice in my life. Ever since that realisation, anyone I have dated, regardless of where they find themselves on the gender spectrum, I have always made my sexuality clear to them in the initial dating stages as I don’t feel comfortable hiding that part of myself from them. Now, I’m dating a wonderful cis, straight man and it’s interesting how on the surface I am in a straight presenting relationship except I’m not straight!
What has been a standout moment in your career so far?
I’d have to say getting onto the RISE Programme two years ago, and the incredible opportunities that have come with it. I was one of 18 colleagues chosen across the country from over hundreds of applicants. Whilst being on the programme, I have met some of the most influential people in the business, seen my work published for the business and even visited colleagues in our Sourcing Office in Istanbul to learn more about ethical trading. It is amazing when I reflect on what I have achieved in the last two years, and I feel extremely proud about it.
How does Marks and Spencer strive for inclusivity and provide an open space for LGBTQIA employees?
At M&S, we strive for inclusivity at every opportunity. For example, as I work in marketing, we are always asking ourselves how we can make our work more inclusive, from the models we cast to the accessibility of our content. Specifically for colleagues, M&S do so much to promote inclusivity. We have an LGBTQIA network which is available to all M&S colleagues to join. The network is incredible and hosts events, Q&As and community gatherings to discuss different topics across the community. M&S also sponsors multiple Pride events across the country and local colleagues are allowed to sign up and join the M&S Pride float and celebrate the LGBTQIA community. On a smaller but still significant scale, every colleague has the option to add their preferred pronouns to their name badge, along with the LGBTQIA flag too. Colleagues have asked me about the flag on my badge and I’ve always had supportive conversations with colleagues as a result.
Throughout your career, have you noticed any developments in attitudes towards the importance of diversity and inclusion?
As I hope for my career to be a few decades longer, I feel like I’m only getting started so I can only make a few comments!
I would say that M&S is the most inclusive employer I’ve worked for so far and that’s because all that they do to encourage diversity and inclusion is consistently promoted across the business. As colleagues, we have the opportunity to join a range of inclusion & diversity networks and their events. The networks feel like a place where you can make positive change happen for the business, share stories and support each other. I do feel like the attitudes towards the importance of diversity and inclusion is a loudening voice and one that cannot be ignored. There is importance in empowering everyone around us and I feel proud to work for a business that is so inclusive and diverse.
What immediate improvements would you like to see being made for LGBTQIA equality in the future – both in the workplace, and wider society?
I think it would be great for us to let go of the unconscious bias many of us have about assuming someone’s gender and sexuality based on their appearance. That’s something I’ve experienced in the past and it’s frustrating to be judged in this way. Another improvement I’d like to see would be improved access and outcomes to mental and physical health support for people within the trans community.
Marks & Spencer are a proud partner of myGwork, the LGBTQ+ business community. Find out more about LGBTQ+-friendly job opportunities at Marks and Spencer.
DIVA magazine celebrates 30 years in print in 2024. If you like what we do, then get behind LGBTQIA media and keep us going for another generation. Your support is invaluable.
