LGBTQ Community: How the LGBTQ+ community fares in the workplace

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered (LGBTQ) People in the Workplace

LGBTQ people tend to be invisible in the workplace. They often mask their identity for fear of job discrimination which in turn leads to the underreporting of discrimination.

Why does LGBTQ Community not want to disclose their identity? Perhaps they do not feel able to handle other people's reactions and coming out of the closet may increase the likelihood of being the target of discrimination. They weigh up the potential benefits of coming out, such as greater personal authenticity, political and social empowerment, more open and potentially more productive relationships with colleagues, and freedom from the nend to devote energy to the fear of discovery and all that that may entail. Each and every work relationship may entail a new and potentially difficult disclosure (Creed & Scully 2000).

Consequently, researchers have conceptualized coming out as a "recurring, rational decision-making process that LGBTQ individuals undertake each time they encounter new persons and new situations and that requires the assessment of the potential benefits and costs (Rostosky & Riggle 2000).

Factors that might influence a person "coming out" include good coping resources, the presence of non-discrimination policies in the person and his/her partner's workplace, and the presence of LGBTQ support networks. Interestingly, team composition also plays a role - LGBTQ people in work teams composed primarily of men, that are not racially balanced or have male supervisors report experiencing more homophobia and discrimination. It is a big decision for employees whether or not to invite their partners to company social events and in reality, this is probably only done where the organization is tolerant of LGBTQ persons.

There are two main concerns about LGBTQs in the professions. One cause for concern is the impact of sexual prejudice on their career and the other relates to the impact of anti-gay prejudice on career proficiency. Anti-gay activists see teaching as a contested area because they believe that children are at risk of "normalizing the homosexual lifestyle". Personally, I do not agree with this because homosexuals are really just the same as heterosexuals in everything except their sexual habits. They buy houses and pay their mortgages and worry about debt like everyone else. Just as heterosexuals will not exhibit sexual behavior in public, neither do homosexuals.

Some people do not agree with gays in the military, perhaps they are afraid that a gay partner will in some way get access to security clearance. I think that this is an invalid argument because homosexuals have taken an oath to the Head of State and to the people and they are equally bound to respect national security.

On the other side of the coin, it is possible that LGBTQ Community will be affected by homophobic people in the public service eg. social workers, lawyers, teachers. The popular film "Philadelphia" depicted homophobic attorneys but it is rare to see this in film or in the media.

What are the best ways of combating homophobia in the workplace? Training regarding prejudice, communication, and diversity would be a good start.