Be Inspired: Television Titan Dawn Airey

Dawn's story

Dawn Airey is one of the most powerful women in media.

She started her career doing a work experience placement but since then has held some of the most influential positions in the world of Television. She has been the Director of Programmes and Chief Executive of Channel Five, the Managing Director of Channels and Services for BSkyB and has also been employed by Channel 4, as Controller of Arts and Entertainment, as Director of Global Content for ITV, overseeing the development of its international production and distribution businesses.As of 2010 she is  Chairman and Chief Executive of Channel 5, the UK public broadcaster with a remit to increase profitability and audience share.

Dawn Airey is just one of the people featured in Aim High - the LGF's inspirational guide for young lesbian, gay and bisexual people - who, like Beth Ditto, John Amaechi and Russell T Davies underline that sexuality doesn't have to be a barrier to you achieving in life.

What advice would you give to a young gay person who wants a career in broadcasting?

"A job in media, and particularly television, is a much saught after career and the industry is exploding. The best thing to do is get a work experience placement and don't be fussy - I started off buying whiskey for the Head of Sport at ITV. Don't let rejection stop you either. When I finished University I was convinced that I would get a placement at the BBC, but I didn't. So I moved on and became one of the first graduate trainees at Channel Three - moving on to become the station's Director of Global Content. The best thing you can do is work hard and become indispensable.

Don't think that your sexuality will be a hindrance either. If you find that it's stopping you from advancing in your career then you are being discriminated against and that's illegal and wrong. The job that you do should have nothing to do with your sexuality. It's extraordinary that people ever think that it should. If you are comfortable with the fact that you're gay, then tell people - don't pretend to be anything you're not or you will end up becoming deceitful and unhappy. I was heterosexual for most of my life and when I did come out, I didn't make a big deal of it. I think if you don't turn it into this big thing then others won't either. Coming out has changed my life but it hasn't changed the way I live; I still have the same friends I had when I was heterosexual. I don't think people think any differently of me. Besides, if Rupert Murdoch doesn't mind that I'm gay, I can't see why anyone else would."

To ensure as many copies of Aim High as possible get out to young lesbian, gay and bisexual people in UK schools this LGBT History Month, click here.

For support around Coming Out, click here.