Being Gay in Investment Banking - London
Hey, this is probably a very different post from your usual "rank those BBs" but I would really appreciate getting some insight into how life is a gay man in London IBD given that I am contemplating coming out at my firm. I will be joining a BB in London this summer as an Analyst and during my SA stint, the topic seemed to be absolutely taboo and joking about girls was part of the standard etiquette to quickly get friendly with other people in the team.
Does anyone have any experience with coming out/being gay in London IBD? How did the others react? Did you feel it impacted your career/staffings?
I know that, at the end of the day, even negative outcomes might be just something I would have to accept but nonetheless would be grateful for any guidance on that process.
Many thanks in advance.
edited because of the PC police.
Avoid it, I am sure that it wont help in the dynamics. Everyone wants to share something in common, appetite for good looking girls is truly something that most IBankers have. To be honest, most girls in banking are hot, better % than in any other job. Breaking bonds that fast can have a lasting effect in your career or staffings.
Dude most girls in banking are pretty ugly, wtf are you smoking?
it is possible that he is frighteningly ugly, and thus has lower standards.
previous two posts are from fucking idiots.
close friend of mine is lesbian, and was open about it with her bank from day one - not openly stating she was a lesbian tbf, but wouldn't lie about spending time with her girlfriend, that kind of thing.
you're gay, why bother trying to hide it? just be yourself my dude. i think it will be less of an issue than you think it is.
To be honest- quite surprised with all the comments telling you to hide who you are. There is absolutely no shame and nothing to worry about. Most BB have LGBT groups so find it and get to know the people. You could also find amazing mentors and everything will be okay.
My VP was gay and nobody cares. Your life and losers who don’t respect That should be fired
dude screw all these prior posts. you are awesome the way you are. don’t let anyone else stop you or intimidate you from being the truest version of yourself. it’s 2020 not 1990, being gay in the US is fine.
You have nothing to worry about. All bankers are gay in one way or the other; some prefer to get fcked by clients, some prefer to get fcked by MDs and some prefer to get fcked by dudes.
I can't speak on IB but I hope it wouldn't be all that different from CRE brokerage/Capital Markets in the following comparison: Nobody cares if you are an asset to the team. This is true whether you are straight/gay/married/single/whatever. You do not have to disclose if you don't want to but I am of the opinion that being true to yourself is beneficial both personally and professionally in the long-run.
I would not flaunt your relationship status or preferences but I would discourage anyone from doing this routinely regardless of status/preference. Professionalism is important. On the same coin, I would be confident in who you are and would not hide or lie about it when you feel it is appropriate.
One of the most popular team members at my firm is openly gay. He crushes his work and always has a great attitude in the office. As a result, he is one of the most well liked (and productive) members of our team. I can't be certain your firm will be the same but if they are not, I sincerely hope you find a place that is because in 2020 it is absolutely ridiculous for your sexual preference to have any impact on your career trajectory. Be confident in who you are and kill your work.