With legislative attacks against the LGBTQ+ community gaining traction around the nation, a Kentucky ad agency is letting it be known that their workplace will always be a safe haven for self expression.
Cornett, a Lexington-based agency, has instituted “Work is a Drag”—an official workplace policy that welcomes and encourages any employee who wishes to dress in drag at the office.
To commemorate the policy addition, Cornett enlisted the help of RuPaul’s Drag Race Seasons 11 & All Stars 6 contestant Scarlet Envy, a Kentucky native who graduated with a degree in Advertising Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Local drag queens Jennae, Kali Dupree and Uma Jewels were also recruited to give two Cornett employees a transformative drag makeover.
Executive creative director Whit Hiler and senior copywriter Coleman Larkin jumped at the chance to step outside their comfort zone, becoming queens-for-a-day Witty Comments and Sweet Evening Sleeze, respectively. Neither Hiler nor Larkin had dressed in drag before, and neither identifies as LGBTQ+. For the men, their participation was a show of allyship and creativity.
Senior copywriter Coleman Larkin and ECD Whit Hiler in drag as Sweet Evening Sleeze and Witty Comments.
“Creative expression is at the heart of what we do,” said Cornett president and owner Christy Hiler. “Cornett is committed to being a workplace open to every race, gender, sexual preference, age and ability. This policy is really just about respecting our employees’ freedom to be authentically themselves.”
Whit Hiler, Christy Hiler, Coleman Larkin and Scarlet Envy at Cornett.
“Empowering employees to express themselves through the art of drag while at work is a natural extension of Cornett’s goal to produce original, boundary-pushing work,” continued Hiler.
While fostering a culture of inclusiveness, generosity and service is a start, Cornett also believes that businesses have an obligation to leverage their power for positive change.
“These discriminatory laws go against our core values and hurt our ability to attract national clients and exceptional talent,” said Cornett director of marketing Jamon Deaver. “These actions are exactly why much of the country overlooks Kentucky and negatively stereotypes the people and businesses that call it home.”
Cornett encourages everyone to stay informed about discriminatory legislation in their own states through sources like the ACLU and make their voices heard by contacting their representatives.
CREDITS:
Agency: Cornett
Christy Hiler, President & Owner
Whit Hiler, Executive Creative Director
Jamon Deaver, Director of Marketing
Robert Baker, Director of Social Strategy
Chris Barnes, Creative Director
Sarah Vaughan, Assoc. Art Director
Nicole Berry, Assoc. Art Director
Coleman Larkin, Sr. Copywriter
Laura Merchant, Sr. Graphic Designer
Mia Isaac, Sr. Account Executive
Matt Mesa, Assoc. Copywriter
Ty Duckwyler, Assoc. Content Creator
Caitlin Leiby, Content Strategy Manager
Eric Waters, Content Creator
Haley Bottorff, Assistant Account Executive
Jared Lee, Business Support Lead
Cathryn Hahn, Creative Operations Manager
Partners
Scarlet Envy, Drag Queen & TV Personality
Jenna Jive, Drag Queen
Kali Dupree, Drag Queen
Uma Jewels, Drag Queen
Richie Wireman, Photographer