What does it look like to lead with integrity in an industry that still clings to outdated assumptions about masculinity and who “belongs”?

In this episode of Empowered & Out, Coach Jon sits down with Chris Malden, owner of Prestige Security, to talk about coming out at 19, building credibility in a male-dominated field, and what real workplace inclusion actually requires.

Chris gets honest about stereotypes gay men still face in security, why “allyship” can sometimes become too much, and the leadership lesson he’ll shout from the rooftops: know your people. We also get into authenticity versus safety at work, how to navigate conservative environments, and why being out doesn’t have to become your entire personality to be valid.

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Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to Empowered & Out + season focus
01:13 Why LGBTQ+ visibility in security matters
02:03 Energy check-in
03:09 Who Chris is outside of work
05:40 “People assume I’m straight” — stereotypes and perception
06:31 Coming out at 19 + early influences
09:24 What he needed most back then: reassurance
12:21 Misconceptions about LGBTQ+ people in security
18:52 Building credibility with low representation
20:31 Earning respect the hard way
22:12 What “lead by example” actually means
27:02 Leadership lesson: know your people
29:45 Authenticity vs safety at work
37:43 Advice for conservative workplaces
46:03 What companies get wrong about support
49:25 Allyship that doesn’t help (and why)
52:06 Rapid fire time
01:00:20 Actionable takeaways for listeners + leaders

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