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Maurice W. Dorsey, Ph. D.

Out and Equal in the Workplace 2011 National Extension and Research Administrative Officers’ Conference. Maurice W. Dorsey, Ph. D. National Program Leader for Public Policy, NIFA Diversity Officer, and Special Emphasis Program Manager LGBT, Division of Family and Consumer Sciences,

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Maurice W. Dorsey, Ph. D.

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  1. Out and Equal in the Workplace2011 National Extension and Research Administrative Officers’ Conference Maurice W. Dorsey, Ph. D. National Program Leader for Public Policy, NIFA Diversity Officer, and Special Emphasis Program Manager LGBT, Division of Family and Consumer Sciences, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA

  2. VIDEO MONTAGE

  3. What We Will Discuss Today • Diversity • Critical Conversations • Terminology • Definition • Demographics • Sexual Orientation At USDA • Sexual Orientation in the Federal Government • Current GLBT Issues in the United States • Workplace Issues • Promoting Diversity

  4. Diversity Factors • Age, Gender, Race/Color, Ability (visible) • Heritage, Religion, Accent, National Origin, Physical Characteristics, Tenure, Family Status, Education, Sexual Orientation, Geography, Native Language, Beliefs, Classification, Hourly/Salaried, Life Experiences, others…..(invisible)

  5. Critical Conversations • Are conversations that usually you usually don’t want to have... Because it can make people uncomfortable, can show us where our barriers/biases are, and challenge our belief system. • Are conversations that people need to gain knowledge, wisdom, understanding; and can prevent and resolve conflicts. • The intent of our conversation today is to educate.

  6. Terminology • GLBT is the abbreviation for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender. Also seen as LGBT. • Gay is a term given to people of the same gender who are attracted sexually and emotionally to each other. • Lesbian is a term given to females who are attracted sexually and emotionally to females. • Bisexual is a term given to people who are attracted to some males and females. Also “bi”

  7. Terminology Continued • Transgender is a term given to people whose gender expression (how an individual externally communicate their gender identity to others) at least sometimes runs contrary to what others in the same culture would normally expect. Includes transsexuals, cross-dressers, drag queens/kings.

  8. Terminology Continued • Gender identity is our innermost concept of self as “male” or “female”---what we perceive and call ourselves. Individuals are conscious of this between the ages of 18 months and 3 years. Most people develop a gender identity that matches their biological sex. For some, gender identity is different from biological sex (transsexuals)

  9. Terminology Continued • Transsexual is a term given to those who do not identify with their birth-assigned genders. Transsexuals sometimes alter their bodies surgically and/or hormonally. The transition (formally called “sex change”) is a multi-step process that may take years and may include sex reassignment surgery. Approximately 2,000 Americans undergo sex change surgery every year. The number of gender reassignment procedures conducted worldwide is estimated to be five time larger* • *Source: Surgeryencylopedia.com and the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association

  10. Terminology Continued • The U.S. Tax Court ruled in February 2010 that hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery are tax deductable because the procedures are medically necessary. Source: O’Donnabhain versus IRS reported via AOL News 2/3/10

  11. Terminology Continued • “Coming Out” of the closet is to publicly declare one’s identity. To be in the closet is to hide one’s identity. Coming out is a life long process in each new situation a person must decide whether to come out or stay in to parents, friends, and co-workers.

  12. Terminology Continued • Conversion Therapy is an attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation. Also known as a cure for homosexuality. It usually does not work. It can produce feelings of depression, hopelessness, shame, and anxiety. Some people become suicidal.

  13. Terminology Continued • Down Low are men who discreetly have sex with other men while in sexual relationships with women are said to be on the “down low” or DL. Often these men do not consider themselves gay or bisexual and their female partners are not aware that they have sex with other men, thus the term means “in-hiding” The practice of “straight men” secretly having sex with men is seen across all ethnic groups.

  14. Terminology Continued • Homophobia is the dread of being in close quarter with homosexuals as well as homosexuals’ self loathing. (Society and the Healthy Homosexual,1972) An aversion to gay or homosexual people, their lifestyle, culture, or behavior. An irrational fear of homosexuality. (American Heritage Dictionary)

  15. Terminology Continued • Heterosexism is a value system that denies, denigrates, and stigmatizes any non-heterosexual form of behavior, identity, relationship or community. An “ism” like sexism or racism where one is considered better that others. Creates misinformation and misconceptions. Operates through a dual process of invisibility and attack.

  16. Terminology Continued • Lavender Ceiling is when GLBT issues are avoided organizationally and individually. When homophobia and heterosexism are an established part of the workplace culture and the open service, career, development and promotional advancement of GLBT employees is impeded or prevented.

  17. Terminology Continued • Queer is a negative term used against people perceived to be GLBT. Fag and faggot are also negative terms. Dyke is a negative term used to describe lesbians. These terms should not be used.

  18. What is Sexual Orientation? • Sexual Orientation is an enduring, emotional, romantic, sexual, or affectionate attraction to another person. • Everyone has a sexual orientation and falls on a scale of somewhere between purely heterosexual and purely homosexual. • Sexual Orientation is different from sexual behavior because it refers to feelings and self-concept. Individuals may or may not express their sexual orientation in their behaviors.

  19. What Is Sexual Orientation? • Sexual Orientation is not a conscious choice that can be voluntarily changed. • Human beings cannot choose to be gay or straight. • Sexual Orientation emerges for most people in early adolescence (before the age of 5 without any prior sexual experience. • Homosexuality is not a mental illness and implies no impairment in judgment, stability, reliability or general social or vocational capabilities.

  20. Demographics • It is estimated that gays and lesbians make up 5% of the United States population. • The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the current U.S. population to be 300,000,000. • The estimated number of gays and lesbians in the U.S. is 15,000,000. • There are 3.3 million gay & lesbian couples. • 4 million gays and lesbian have children.

  21. Demographics • Estimated $712 billion consumer market in 2008. • Projected to exceed $835 billion by 2011. • States with the largest total number of GLBT adults: CA, DC, FL, IL, NY, and TX. • States with the largest percentages of gay, lesbian, and bisexual adults: DC, ME, MA, NH, and WA.

  22. Demographics • 99.3 percent of U.S. counties reported same-sex cohabitating unmarried partners. • The largest increases since the 1990 census were reported in rural, sparsely populated areas.

  23. Sexual Orientation at USDA • Secretary Espy issued the Department’s EEO and Civil Rights Policy Statement which specifically prohibited discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation, 1993. • A Departmental Task Force was formed to develop recommendations designed to implement the Secretary’s policy, June 1993.

  24. Sexual Orientation at USDA • USDA announced the formation of the second USDA Task Force on Sexual Orientation, July 1999. • “If the Department fully implemented its sexual orientation …..and the prevention of costly complaints. We have estimated the potential savings….approximately $23 million annually.”

  25. Sexual Orientation • Secretary’s Gay & Lesbian Employee Advisory Council (GLEAC), 2000. • Secretary Vilsack signed Departmental Regulation 4230-002 creating a Special Emphasis Program for GLBT employees, June 4, 2009.

  26. Sexual Orientation in Federal Government • The Lavender Scare---the cold war persecution of GLBT in federal government. • Civil Service Reform Act of 1978---protection from non-merit based personnel actions. • 1995 Executive Order 12968---security clearances for GLBT. • 1998 Executive Order 13087---prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation in federal government.

  27. Sexual Orientation in Federal Government • OPM publishes “Addressing Sexual Orientation Discrimination in Federal Civilian Employment: A Guide to Employee’s Rights, June 1999. • Oncale vs. Sundowner---Same-sex sexual harassment violates 1964 Civil Rights Act.

  28. GLBT Current Issues • Employment Protections---still no federal law, 28 states can fire GLBT; 38 states can fire because of gender identification; Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). • Same-sex partnerships---Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), 1996; federal denial 1,138 benefits • Domestic partner benefits • Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) • Hate Crime Violence Legislation---Matthew Sheppard and James Byrd, Jr. • Heterosexism, Fear, Lavender Ceiling, others

  29. What You Can Do to Promote GLBT in the Workplace • Be honest • Be a partner • Be a role model • Be an ally • Be an activist • Be a teacher • Be a student

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