You Can See It Changing: A Q&A with Jeff Dyson on Pride
Jeff Dyson is a founding member of BuyAndSellABusiness.com and the company’s Chief Technology Officer. He’s recently “Officially gay”, having met his partner and wanting to be open about it with those closest to him. “I’m generally a private person and a complicated individual,” Jeff told us. “I am so over the idea of being gay that it just really doesn't seem like a big deal to me. Being totally in love, now that is a big deal.”
He took some time to speak to us about his experiences working in tech and with small businesses, and why those businesses should participate in Pride.
Tell me about your history working in tech? What was your experience like entering the field?
I've always had an affinity for tech since a young age. It exploded into a full hobby when I got a computer and the internet in my teens. I played a lot of online games and began hosting servers and building clan sites basically on my own. It's kind of funny because I really didn't see a career in tech being viable for me, but my endeavours kept catching the eye of people wanting my involvement on their projects. No matter how much I turned them down, they always insisted. So, it just sort happened to all work out this way. I am grateful for their persistence because now I have all the confidence I will ever need.
Does tech, as a sector, have a reputation for being especially open and welcoming for LGBTQ people? The opposite?
There are certainly rumours that the tech industry was marred by toxic "bro culture" and disproportionate wages to female workers and that sort of thing. Not entirely specific to LGBTQ, but I've personally never seen or experienced discrimination at all, of any kind, in my professional career. I've definitely had some gay co-workers before, totally normal.
Has it changed at all?
These days it seems like there is a pursuit of Equal Outcome, where companies strive to hire based on fulfilling a diversity quota rather than by individual merits and level of skill. So, if you're LGBTQ and can code, welcome aboard!
You’ve done a lot of work with small businesses. What was the culture like there?
At the end of the day, businesses are run by people, and I'd like to think that generally people are accepting and good. You hear stories of small businesses refusing to make cakes for gay weddings and stuff like that. I don't really think these accounts represent the majority in 2022. It's easy for smaller businesses to shine their core values before being lost in a shuffle or buried under blanket policies. Sometimes those values are more traditional, and I honestly think that it is okay too. We're all in a rainbow, or whatever (laughs).
Why do you think it’s important for businesses to participate in Pride and other awareness initiatives?
The cynic in me wants to say that a fair amount of these companies just want the exposure as a marketing opportunity, and to capitalize on the movement. And I think there is a lot of truth in that. I'm all for gay rights as much as the next, and would love to see it normalized completely. Having larger organizations endorse and participate in Pride, whatever their reason, makes a huge contribution to the progression of these rights worldwide. So yeah, it is important. You can see it changing in popular culture too.
Have you ever felt that your sexual identity was a barrier in your career?
No. I have never felt that my sexual identity was a barrier in my career. To me being gay is just a preference, not a lifestyle. It does not define who I am, and it has no bearing on how I conduct myself professionally.
You came out fairly recently. Can you tell us about your decision?
I don't really consider it coming out. I met someone who makes me really happy, and I want to share that with people close to me. I am generally a private person and a complicated individual. I am so over the idea of being gay that it just really doesn't seem like a big deal to me. Being totally in love, now that is a big deal.
If you could go back and give any advice to your younger self, what would you say?
When 2009 comes you need to mine as much Bitcoin as you can. Then buy a couple houses before 2020. Oh, and you're gay. Get over it.
Looking for more resources? Visit Out in Tech, the world’s largest non-profit community of LGBTQ+ tech leaders.
Opinions expressed here by contributors are their own.
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