I'm writing a speech in favor of gay rights, and I would like to know what kind of employment-related discrimination homosexuals are faced with. Has anyone been discriminated against in employment?
2006-12-22 18:10:38 · 10 answers · asked by Spin Me Like a Record 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
There are the occasional biggies like overt harassment and firing. Even in places where there are laws protecting homos (and not every state has such laws), these practices occur. The federal government does not include sexual orientation in the EEOC clause. Because of this reality, many homos are not out of the closet at work.
But, the most common discrimination involves just everyday little things. Fag jokes, uncomfortableness when discussing one's partner, not going to the restroom at the same time, straight guys asking lesbians explicit sex questions, stereotypes about all lesbians being masculine and all gay guys being feminine, noticeable surprise and curiosity when a homo has a kid, comments like lesbians are that way because they had a bad experience with a guy, asking "who's the man and who's the woman" in the relationship, assuming that all gay guys have AIDS or will shortly because all gay guys are promiscuous and practice unsafe sex, and so on. Everyday comments.
The biggest discrimination in the workplace is that most human resource managers do not treat complaints about homophobia with the same seriousness as they treat complaints about sexism/racism.
2006-12-22 20:46:17 · answer #1 · answered by bikerchickjill 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
About 8 weeks ago I lost a job offer because of the fact that I'm a transwoman. The place included transpeople in their anti-discrimination policy and the application had a place for legal and another place for preferred first name. The second interviewer, basically the real interviewer that would have been my boss, refused to use my preferred name. His tone of voice and choice of words also showed that he had some sort of problem with me. That is the only interview that I've had that did not result in getting me a job out of the last 7 interviews that I've had, so I have a great job record and good interview skills. I also have a couple years experience doing the job I applied to as well.
I like your nickname btw ;)
2006-12-22 19:46:01 · answer #2 · answered by carora13 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the UK there are laws against this, companies who discriminate against LGBT can be taken to court and basically sued. With that the company can lose a substantial amount of money plus all the the bad PR from the media. Ive never been discriminated in any of my places of work!
2006-12-22 22:08:22 · answer #3 · answered by theguyintelford 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i work for one of the most supportive bosses of all time when it comes to the GLBT community........ME!!!!!!!!!!!! seriously, when i first started dressing full time i was discriminated against by the very people who are now my customers. (they have since apologized for their gaffe). they didnt want to deal with a woman in a mans field and said so to my face. that is when i started my own company and the rest as they say, is history.
2006-12-23 05:36:51 · answer #4 · answered by newmichelle1959 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure most of us have.. Even when I was unionized...anything from the union regarding gay/lesbian rights was always removed from the wall where notices were placed..ALWAYS. We had to fight for years for same sex rights at work..now marriage is allowed in Canada.....and they have no choice...but some companies still make it as difficult as possible...for example there are medical insurance companies(Manulife-- to name one) that won't insure 2 men as a family...their definition of family is 3 people or more.
2006-12-22 18:40:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I used to hear alot of homophobic comments on the job all the time that alone would make you feel uncomfortable working for people who don't seem to like gays.
2006-12-22 21:30:38 · answer #6 · answered by What'd You Say? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In most states (right-to-work states) there are NO PROTECTIONS of any kind for gays at all. You can be fired for any reason. They can terminate you at any time and for any reason, including being gay!
2006-12-22 18:51:17 · answer #7 · answered by AdamKadmon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Australia there are laws protecting us from that kind of discimination. Being gay isn't a disability that impacts your work.
2006-12-22 18:46:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For starters, it's completely legal in many states to fire someone for the sole reason of their sexuality, whereas their religion, sex, race, etc. are all protected on a federal level.
2006-12-22 19:04:49 · answer #9 · answered by Atropis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know people who loose their jobs every day for being gay....that's really all it takes just the wrong person finding out.
2006-12-22 18:23:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋