Sheffield Freelance Journalist opens up about what it is like being openly gay within the industry

The Journalism industry is one of the biggest industries and the journalist within it are the faces of our information and the gateway to gain facts, find new stories and educate ourselves on ongoing issues that impact the world around us, but within the journalism industry the queer creatives are often unheard about with only a few names we recognise such as Amy Ashden or Ella Braidwood, giving us an insight to this BBC Journalist Chelsey Ward breaks down her career and what it is like to be an openly gay women within the industry.

Chelsey Ward a 24 year old lesbian women currently a Freelance Journalist and also producing shows at BBC Radio Sheffield was inspired to become a journalist after loving Ant and Dec and is now breaking down the stereotypes that it isn’t just white straight women doing journalism.

Chelsey had her relasitation that she wasn't straight at 14 and with keeping it to herself for three years she then came out.

Chelsey Ward - From Twitter

“My first realisation of being ‘bi’ was around 14… I had a more than normal obsession with Jessie J… It took me a year to realise I didn’t just appreciate her music. ANYWAY, I eventually come to terms with the fact I wasn’t bi, stopped lying to myself and I’m now completely comfortable in the fact I am lesbian!

“I kept it to myself for 3 years. I told one ‘friend’ and she didn’t keep it to herself, I was almost forced out, which annoys me because I didn’t feel like I needed to come out, I just wanted to be me & be with who I wanted to be with. It pisses me off that there’s a huge thing about LGBTQ+ people having to let people know who they are and who they love, who made that bullshit rule???” Chelsey told us.

Chelsey currently working for BBC Radio Sheffield producing shows across the station from Mid Morning show to the evening shows, Chelsey never felt her queerness impacted her work-life but she still questions that maybe the jobs she once applied for and never got was because she was gay.

“Being gay hasn’t had an impact on my career so far, I wouldn’t like to think it would. It’s strange I say so far, it’s almost a fear I have. Not being given the same opportunities or someone secretly being against who I am and trying to stop my development… Best believe I will leave that place if it ever comes to that!!

“I have to say to my knowledge because you honestly will never know. I’ve applied for jobs, have I been rejected because of my sexuality? I don’t know, I’d like to think not. It has crossed my mind.” Says Chelsey

Being a part of the LGBTQ+ community can be liberating and beautiful but also difficult, with not having people around you to look up to with the passions you have. Chelsey inspired by Jamila Jamil, goes into what being a lesbian means to her and people who inspired her who are journalists themselves.

“It means being free to be myself, loving who I want to and being a part of a community that embraces themselves and others.

“The first person who inspired me was Jamila Jamil – she was the first brown woman I ever saw on TV, the first woman to look like I did and she was doing what I wanted to do. She’s opinionated, intelligent and incredible at what she does. At the moment I would say Tiffany Calver, radio 1xtra DJ.. She has created her own lane within the industry and has paved the way for other young women whilst doing it.”

However, with being a queer creative you have to be louder and let people know you are in the room ready to make change and more so in the journalistic industry.

“I believe there could be more queer people in every space. I’d like to see more queer people on screen, live reporting, writing… There needs to be a chance for the younger LGBTQ+ to see people like them doing the jobs they want to do… I didn’t have that, I can only imagine the impact it would have had on me” Says Chelsey

The younger generation are more so the ever are more accepting and open minded to sexualities and gender, meaning more so then likely more industries will see a range of people coming to work for them from all walks of life and all sectors of the community in the future, so hopefully there will be more visibility for LGBTQ+ people within the workspace.

Chelsey finishes the interview with giving advice to any young queer people wanting to be journalists.

“Go for it, this is your life and your opportunity to do what YOU want to do. Be proud of who you are, embrace it and show it in your work. Don’t shy away, if anyone dislikes you because of who you are fuck them – they don’t deserve you. Be kind to yourself, be kind to others.”