How has being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community shaped the course of your career?

When I started in fashion in the early 2000s, it didn't occur to me that I had chosen an industry where from the outside it seemed like only gay men and straight women were celebrated. For many years I felt like a lone lesbian in my fashion career and didn't realize that from the beginning I was actually being an advocate in my LGBTQIA+ community. I was always out in the workplace but didn't understand its importance until I had to fight for health insurance for me and my wife. When I started doing international travel, I often wanted to hide the fact that I was gay because it would be easier, but I knew that I needed to be out, even in countries where it was illegal at the time. In many countries, I was the first lesbian that my international colleagues had met. I found myself navigating many awkward questions and helping them shatter their stereotypes of my community. It was scary at times as I was traveling by myself and hoping that my company would have my back should anything go wrong, especially in conservative countries. I was lucky in that everyone was supportive, but I know it was eye-opening for them and maybe even a little brave for them to talk about it and accept me. In the end, I made many good friends in different countries and carved out a career path that was more than just a job. I feel lucky knowing that I was able to be out in the workplace and maybe even have laid a stepping stone or two for the generations to come.

The first time I felt a tremendous sense of pride in being part of the LGBTQIA+ community:

In 2006 my partner and I attended the Dyke March in New York City and it was my first time seeing that many lesbians and queer people in one spot. At first I had never felt more seen and validated being part of this group, but when marching down 5th avenue I realized how incredibly lucky and proud that I was there in that moment. A couple years later my now wife and I got married in a ceremony in WI, where it was still illegal to wed, but the following year when we were back in the Dyke March it gave me great pride to know we had made just a little more progress. It wouldn't be for another 5 years, in 2015 that the country would make gay marriage legal, but I was proud that I did something about it over the years instead of just watching from the sidelines hoping that things would change. I'll never forget the Gay Pride parade in 2015 and the celebration that shook the city while equally shaking tears from my eyes. The biggest moment of pride for me was watching the older gay couples who had been together for 60 or 70 years, knowing that because of their enormous courage and advocacy, we were finally in a new era. More progress would and still needs to happen, but we've also come an incredibly long way and I am honored to be a part of it.

LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbey-cook-119a7b54/

Website: www.abbeycook.com & www.thetastecurators.com

Instagram: @abbeylcook & @the_taste_curators

June is observed annually as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in memory of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City on June 28, 1969. The co-lab is honored to celebrate alongside the LGBTQIA+ community by recognizing the remarkable progress that has been made since Stonewall and the contributions, achievements, and influence the community has had within our industries and communities. We also take this time to acknowledge and stand in solidarity with the ongoing fight for equal justice and opportunity. As articulated in our DE&I statement, the co-lab unwaveringly stands for equity and inclusion and condemns racist, discriminatory and hateful acts of any kind.

In celebration of Pride Month and elevating LGBTQIA+ identifying voices, we are highlighting some of our wonderful LGBTQIA+ co-lab members on our Instagram @jointhecolab and on our website.

To learn more about LGBTQIA+ history, the LGBTQIA+ experience or organizations that are driving positive change towards a more equitable future, please explore our resource library. This is not a comprehensive list, and if there are additional resources that you believe would be helpful, please email us at info@jointhecolab.com.

– the co-lab DIVERSITY COUNCIL