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When you hear the word 'gay, ' what do you think of? Happy? Doubtfully? Something stupid or dumb? Most likely.
In today's culture, gay is a common adjective for something undesirable or stupid. I hear this word used in such a way countless times daily. Homosexuals have never seemed to be a widely accepted group in America. Many people are still disgusted by the fact that there are such people in the world. But this is getting better. There are many pro-gay / lesbian /bisexual organizations and such these days, and it's becoming acceptable in more and more clubs, workplaces, and schools.
Other minority groups have overcome society. At one time, women weren't allowed to do much of anything. Now, if someone tried to stop a woman from doing something such as being a carpenter, they could easily be sued. It's no longer acceptable to judge people by their sex, race, or skin color. In fact, it is a federal law that you can not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, religion, race, national origin, sex, color, or handicap. See anything missing from that list?
As far as I have been able to tell, it is legal to refuse employment due to sexual orientation. But, I have not heard of many cases where homosexuals have been refused jobs for that reason. There are a few common questions people ask homosexuals: Why did you choose to be gay? Why are you so obsessed with 'coming out'? What's it like? Do other gay people ask you out all the time?
First of all, it is my firm belief that homosexuality is not a choice. Why do heterosexuals choose to like the opposite sex? It's more of something you " re born with. People will simply be attracted to who their body will like to. It just seems there are more people attracted to the opposite sex, so it is believed to be more 'natural'. Why are gays and lesbians obsessed with 'coming out'?
I wouldn't call it an obsession, but it is a very hard process in today's society. Telling parents, siblings, relatives, friends, and coworkers is very risky. You could become subject to rejection, harassment, and the loss of people you care about. Being openly gay or lesbian in America is risky at times, but many people don't like to live their lives as if in shame of who they are. Many cities now have annual Pride Parades, gay and lesbian night clubs, and a higher percentage of openly gay people than ten years ago. Lets now look closely to the working environment and the attitude towards homosexuals in it.
Is it friendly or not, is it approved or not? You " ve come out to yourself, your family and your friends, but have you come out at work? The freedom of being yourself from 9 to 5 can be rewarding -- and a little frightening. Here is one story that I have read that truly reveals coworkers and directors attitude towards extraordinary sexual orientation. My name is Richard Girouard. Before I started the current job for the company that I work for, I had an interview with the Director of the company.
I was informed 3 days later that I had the job of doing data entry. Apparently, before I got the job. He had went around asking everyone there if it they would be comfortable working with a gay person. No one opposed the idea, so it was okay. But I had never mentioned during the interview that I was gay. The first week was okay, but after that the company hired another person (J-F) coming from the Jonquiere area.
One of my supervisor's did let him know that I was gay. J-F is 24 and Mister Macho, and drinks beer like you " ve never seen before. He started asking questions about my sexuality. Me, being openly gay, it did not bother me.
I answered his questions within reason. Later on, his questions and remarks were getting stranger and stranger all the time. Like for example; one question was "Am I your type of man?" or "Do you think I'm good enough for you." With these questions, my mind started to try and figure out what was going on. J-F did let me know that he goes to the Complex Bourbon or the Drugstore, when his mother comes to town. Or he has a lot of gay friends, and he even has started working out at a gay gym at the corner of Mont Royal and De Lorimier. And just before Xmas, one of the other straights in the office, asked me where the Sky Pub was, because his girlfriend wanted to go there one evening.
Before, I had even the chance to give him the address, J-F had given it to him. To me, J-F is still in the closet and cannot accept it, but is taking out some of his aggravation on me. At the moment, I'm on sick leave as of December 3 rd, 2002 from Burnout/Depression, because of J-F and 3 other persons who work with him, who have made my work situation there unbearable. And the Director doesn't want to see what is going on, and thinks that I and 4 other witnesses are exaggerating the whole situation. My partner is furious about this situation.
I had some information about my return to the job. It says that my Director will try to disgust me so I quit my job. But I consider to maybe getting a civil lawsuit against him. The fear about coming at work rang now from being very serious, like loosing someones job, to the not-serious but bothersome, like hearing rude jokes or comments regarding homosexuality.
According to Monster Diversity & Inclusion Advisor Kim Mills of the Human Rights Campaign, the biggest concern people have about coming out at work is losing their job. And this fear is legitimate, since in 38 states it is legal to discriminate against employees based on their sexual orientation. Coming out at work could open the door to blatant hostility, termination or being passed over for promotions? (web) "When you " re out -- whether you " re accepted by your peers or not -- you " re being true to yourself, which is the most important thing for living a valid life. " - Angela Holton What possesses people to come out on the job when the potential risks are so great? According to Mills, those who feel safe enough to come out on the job often experience a more integrated and honest identity. The stress of living a dual life -- sometimes in, sometimes out -- can be exhausting. Worrying about being found out or accidentally slipping up when referring to a partner takes an emotional toll. "I felt a sense of freedom and empowerment when I stopped hiding such a huge part of myself, " says Risher. "I immediately felt more confident and comfortable with myself and around my coworkers; it made my life at work much better. " What do such people have to consider? "Don't come out at work, with family or anytime until you are personally ready.
It's not something you can take back. Sharing anything that revealing makes you susceptible to negative reactions -- be prepared for it. " - Risher Reactions from coworkers or bosses can range from support and encouragement to shock and disapproval. In his book Outing Yourself: How to Come Out As a lesbian or Gay to You Friends and Coworkers Michelangelo Signorile describes the importance of assessing the nature of your workplace before deciding to come out. Consider your personal safety.
If you are in an extremely homophobic, hostile environment, finding a new job may make more sense than coming out in your current one. (Signorile, 2002) Barring this threat, Signorile recommends making a list of everyone in your workplace who has an effect on your job. Think about how each person might react upon learning of your sexual orientation. How important to your career are those who might react negatively? Is it realistic to think your job could be jeopardized, or is this fear more imagined?
Taking an analytical approach to this process can help you get a clearer picture of what to anticipate. Mills also suggests finding out if your company has a written policy regarding discrimination based on sexual orientation. If other employees have come out, connect with them to gain a valuable support network. "I've always spoken of 'we' and 'our' and 'us' when asked by coworkers about my evening or weekend plans, and I just let people draw their own conclusions. When you demonstrate your own comfort with your orientation, those around you will follow your cue. " - Holton If you " ve decided to come out at work, how will you actually do it? "Don't come in with a big 'I'm gay!' announcement, " says Mills.
An overwhelming statement isn't necessary and only increases potential shock value. Choose a few trusted coworkers, possibly those who you think may have been wondering about your sexuality, to tell first. Or put a picture of you and your partner on your desk. If asked about your weekend plans, mention doing something with your partner or attending a gay pride event, for example. By letting information spread as it may, you reinforce that this new information about you is not earth-shattering, but just another facet of your life. "Initially, coming out at work was a huge issue -- at least to me, " says Steve, who preferred not to use his last name. "I was so well-received, though, that now it's not even spoken about.
It's been the easiest thing in the world. " Another book that talks closely about the homosexual issues is called Homosexual Issues in the Workplace. After an introduction which offers historical perspective, articles address corporate career issues; fields where being gay is charged with especial stress (the military, the church, the helping professions, education, sports); and AIDS in the workplace. A final section considers social-psychological issues such as coming out at work, and the special problems of older gay workers. Actually, the subject of homosexuality at the working place and on the whole isn't as big of a subject in other countries as it is in America. Japan, for instance, has been highly accepting of their gay, lesbian, and bisexual population for a long time compared to how long Americans have been un accepting of them. Another person's sexual preference is nothing to fuss over there, it isn't a big deal.
Here it is as if it's some contagious disease, and getting to near a gay person could possibly make you gay yourself. Talking about the sexual harassment and homosexuality I have to say that in all states and territories there are both federal and state anti-discrimination / equal opportunity laws that protect a person from harassment in a workplace. However, the combined effect of these federal and state laws is slightly different in each state and territory. In some states it is against the law for a person to be harassed because of his / her : ? ethno-religion; ? homosexuality (actual or perceived); ?
transgender (transsexuality, actual or perceived). It is also against the law for a person to be harassed because of any of his / her relatives, friends or colleagues sex, pregnancy, race, marital status, disability, ethno-religion, homosexuality, transgender or age. Talking about the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 it states that: Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. This act was written in order to ensure and enforce equal rights for every person no matter what sex he / she has to vote. It also provides injunctive relief against discrimination in public accommodations, authorizes the attorney General to institute suits to protect constitutional rights in public facilities and public education, extends the Commission on Civil Rights, to prevent discrimination in federally assisted programs, establishes a Commission on Equal Employment Opportunity, and for other purposes. Another Act that was signed on July 26 th, 1990, called the Americans with Disabilities Act intended to make American society more accessible to people with disabilities.
This is one of the most comprehensive civil rights laws enacted in the United States and prohibits discrimination on the basis of physical or mental disability. By passing the ADA the government recognized the fact that a large number of Americans were still being excluded from many areas of life, including employment, access to public and governmental accommodations, transportation and telecommunications. Talking about the rights that homosexuals might have under these two acts and the effects that homosexual orientation might have on business management and organizational behavior I have to say that it is first of all not ethical to change your orientation in order to receive protected status under Title VII of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and or ADA of 1990. Though, as I mentioned above, these acts enforce and ensure equal rights for people will physical and mental disabilities, it is not the reason to use these privileges and become homosexuals. A persons sexual orientation has not to make any effects on overall employee morality and morale. Homosexuality should have to be a reason for an overall employees productivity's raise and fall.
It also has not to effect employer's profit and loss statement. It doesnt matter whats a persons orientation while looking at his / her professional qualities. If a person is a great specialist in his / her sphere his he / she deserves the same level of wage, bonus and other privileges. Overall this means that no matter what orientation a person has he / she should have the same opportunities in the company as others. Of course this policy should be followed when an employees homosexuality doesnt hurt or is not reflected no the companys image and overall working process. Another effect that homosexual orientation might have is on the American tax paper.
But it is my firm belief that costs of various AIDS treatment and research programs should not be included in any companys expenses. This is definitely a personal question and if any sponsored help is needed these costs should be only donated by personal wish. The law says that your employer must not harass you or any of his or her employees at work or make any judgments about his / her orientation. It also says that employers must do their best to make sure that there is no harassment and sexual discrimination in the workplace.
This means that they must do their best to make sure that your supervisor doesnt harass you, that your workmates dont harass you and that customers, clients and any other people you have to deal with at work dont harass you. They must do this whether you are a permanent, full-time, part-time or casual employee. Concluding all the above I want to say that Homosexual Orientation should not be the reason to get protected status under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or the ADA Act of 1990. But these people should be definitely under their control. Today America sees too many differences, and homosexual person is not always accepted as normal people. It's up to today's Americans to start being accepting of all others, not just the ones they please.
And I believe that being under control of these Acts people with different orientation will have more stability and protection in any sphere of their lives. Bibliography 1. web 2. Signorile, Michelangelo.
Outing Yourself: How to Come Out As a lesbian or Gay to You Friends and Coworkers. New York: Mc Great Hill. 2000 3. Diamant, Louis. Homosexual Issues in the Workplace. New York: Wiley. 2002 4. Jack, C.
Sexual Discrimination at Work. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. 2001 5. Sears, Alan & Osten, Craig. The Homosexual Agenda Exposing the Principal Threat to Religious Freedom Today. CA: AAAI Press: MIT Press. 2000. 6. Bischoff, J.
Homosexual problems at work. New York: Wiley. 1999 7. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: web 8. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 web
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