Sevak is a data master, leading a team that supports more than 90% of CNN’s revenue through renewal efforts for top clients. She often participates in Pride events and started a group called “Let’s Talk About It,” a safe space for women to discuss mental health, fertility and more. Variety is improving when it comes to LGBTQ+ programming, but Sevak thinks there is room for improvement across children’s content. “I have a 2.5-year-old daughter and when I watch TV programs with her, they are all defined by the traditional family structure that I would have grown up with: a mom and a dad,” she says. “The world has evolved in terms of what defines a family and I would love for kids programs to reflect this and teach kids that it’s OK to come from a house with two moms, two dads, only one parent, to be adopted… the list goes on.”
What is the state of LGBTQ+ representation in media? It’s relative. If we compare media today to the representation of our community to ten or even twenty years ago we have come a very long way. That being said I believe we have only hit the first 5K of a marathon. Whilst there are a number of mainstream shows and programmes with LGBTQ+ characters represented in a positive light manner for teens and adults I feel like there is a gap when it comes to kids content. I have a 2.5-year-old daughter and when I watch TV programs with her they are all defined by the traditional family structure that I would have grown up with: a mom and a dad. I am blessed to work for a news brand that reflects the historically marginalized voices In front of the camera and behind the camera. The world has evolved in terms of what defines a family, and I would love for kids programs to reflect this and teach kids that it’s okay to come from a house with two moms, two dads, only one parent, to be adopted..the list goes on.”
How do benefits need to improve to become inclusive of all families and individuals? Warner Bros. Discovery has changed a number of their policies to be more inclusive and equitable so I am extremely lucky to work for such an organization where DEI is at the forefront of our policies. That being said, there are many companies that don’t think of the different journeys couples take to make a family. In the UK infertility impacts 1:7 females. This doesn’t include those of the LGBTQ+ community. Companies should be more supportive to employees going through infertility journeys. Having gone through this unsuccessfully for two and a half years it’s a lonely journey to start. The more companies can make this less taboo and more accepting and supportive of the journey many couples have to go through is how we will see more change. As leaders and companies we need to support our employees. A loss is a loss. Whether you have been pregnant for 2.5 days, weeks or months, losing what would be an unborn child is hard. Having gone through this twice in the last five months, I get the stress of what females need to go through to have a child, balance careers and stay calm. Further I get that lonely feeling when it doesn’t work.
How does your company encourage employees to bring their true selves to work? Simple answer, yes. Our company has done an incredible job to encourage, support and more importantly inspire people to be and bring their true selves to work. Through our Path2Equity programme we as a company learn how to diversify our thinking and be more accepting and encouraging to those without a voice to find their voice. I have always been blessed to work for businesses that allowed me to be me. It was always my personal life where I couldn’t be my authentic self. Working for CNN International has inspired and encouraged me even more so to use my voice for change. As cliche as it may be, I want the world for my daughter to be a better place. Little acts of change I believe will help her world be a better place.
Advice for allies on how to show up for their LGBTQ+ colleagues? I am so very thankful for the friends and family in my life who helped me on my journey to get to where I am today. To other allies within our circle, if I can offer one advice it would be 1) continue to ask questions and learn 2) pull those who would have been marginalized voices to the table, but don’t speak for that community and 3) support your friend and family to encourage them to accept themselves for who they are. This is the hardest part. You may know they are part of the “community” before they do, so encourage them and let them know you Will love them no matter who they love
Favorite media milestone moment in LGBTQ+ history? Not sure if this is a favorite but for me there are two milestone moments that shaped and informed me. The first was in 1993 when Melissa Etheridge came out. This was a key shift in music and for bands during my time. I didn’t know what it meant at the time but looking back this was the start. I have lived through the Rickie era on “My So-Called Life,” Pedro’s marriage on “The Real World,” Ellen coming out. For me, there were two pivotal moments that inspired me to be me. 1) watching the off-Broadway play musical Rent and 2) was “The L Word.” It wasn’t until that show and the mainstream appeal that I realized my co-workers and society could potentially accept me for me. It was whilst watching this show that I found the courage to live my authentic life.
