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Working with Gay Persons

Working with Gay Persons. Exam Emphasis Managing a gay identity in the workplace (2) What is it like to grow up gay (1) Overcoming workplace barriers (2) Legal rights (1) Stereotypes & Myths (3) Current profile (1). Stereotypes & Myths. Gays cluster in certain occupations

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Working with Gay Persons

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  1. Working with Gay Persons • Exam Emphasis • Managing a gay identity in the workplace (2) • What is it like to grow up gay (1) • Overcoming workplace barriers (2) • Legal rights (1) • Stereotypes & Myths (3) • Current profile (1)

  2. Stereotypes & Myths • Gays cluster in certain occupations • Feel safer to “come out” in certain fields • They are found in a wide range of fields • People who associate with gays are probably gay themselves “courtesy stigma” • Creates barriers to building support/mentor networks needed for career success • Gays in sensitive high-level jobs are a security risk

  3. Stereotypes & Myths • Gay persons don’t have normal, lasting relationships • No significant difference in relationship satisfaction • Most desire an enduring, close relationship • Gay men act feminine and lesbians act masculine • Most gay couples reject traditional M/F roles in their relationship

  4. Stereotypes & Myths • Gay sex is immoral and gay persons are promiscuous • Immorality is a religious/philosophical belief and can’t be proved/disproved • At some point some % of all population is promiscuous • Gay persons are a bad influence on children • All gays are not pedophiles nor do they all want relationships with younger men

  5. Past Connections • Stonewall: A turning point • 4 days of gay riots; marks the birth of the modern gay rights movement • Cultural breakthroughs • Gay Games founded in 1982 • Popular celebrities are now speaking out publicly about their sexual orientation • Ellen DeGeneres, Rosie O’Donnell

  6. Current Profile • 2.15% of the population is gay • This holds true for all ethnic groups, economic categories, social classes, etc. • Higher educational levels and jobs • Out of the closest gays hold well-paying professional jobs, 60% college educated • Lower pay for comparable work • Gay men’s wages are 27% lower than straights

  7. Nature & Impact of Antigay Prejudice • Reasons for antigay prejudice • Maybe they’ll come on to me • Maybe I’ll get AIDS by being around them • I have to show disapproval of gays so people will know that I’m not gay • Who is likely to be prejudiced? • Male, older, less well educated • Reside in rural areas, the Midwest or the South • Strongly religious

  8. Nature & Impact of Antigay Prejudice • Exclusion, ridicule & assault result in a range of psychological damage to the gay person • In 40 states is legal to fire a gay person based solely on sexual orientation • Most people believe that gay persons should have equal employment & free speech opportunities

  9. Growing up Gay • Phases of Gay Awareness • Stage #1 – denying • Stage #2 – recognizing • Stage #3 – experimenting • Stage #4 – accepting and coming out

  10. Growing up Gay • Dealing with Antigay Bias • Threatened with a weapon at school (4x) • Miss school due to safety concerns (5x) • Commit suicide (3x) • Dealing with Damage to Self-Esteem • Dating, marriage, & children are events to be anticipated by straights but not gays

  11. The Gay Community • The Gay Community • Most gays function in two cultures, the larger culture and the gay culture • Support Networks • Provide psychological support & social acceptance • Gay Couples • 50% of gay Men & 75% of lesbians have a steady couples relationship • Gay Parents • Gay parents report that their children are straight

  12. Managing a Gay Identity in the Workplace • Gays in the Closet • Counterfeiting a straight identity • Dodging the issue • Gays Who Come Out • Calculating the risk • Facing the reactions* • Minimizing gayness • Normalizing gayness • Making gayness an asset • Heaving a sigh of relief

  13. What Legal Rights Do Gay Persons Have? • Equal Employment Rights • Federal Protection only for federal employees • A few states, counties, and cities have specific laws against gay discrimination • Pursuing Family Rights • Domestic Partner Laws • Resisting Private Sex as a Crime

  14. Leadership Challenge: Overcoming Workplace Barriers • Blocks to Spontaneity – Seeing Gays as Abnormal • The Sexual Double Standard • Straight persons can discuss sexual partners at work but gays can’t • Prejudice & Discrimination that drain corporate assets • Talent drain, energy drain & productivity drain

  15. Leadership Challenge: Overcoming Workplace Barriers • Walls of Silence that Deaden Creativity • Treating Gay Persons as Tokens • Hostile Corporate Cultures and Gay Ghettos • May move to more tolerant depts. or where gays are clustered • Jobs have concrete measures of success • The Lavender Glass Ceiling • Limiting advancement & career opportunities

  16. Leadership Opportunities: Building on Gay Persons’ Strengths • Follow the Lead of Savvy Organizations • Recognize that Gay Persons Have High-Value Skills • Help build Gay Support Network • Encourage Company Benefits for Gay Employee’s Partners • Promote Education about Gay Issues • Help Create a Savvy Corporate Culture

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