Should You Come Out at Work?

Before we begin, let’s get our facts straight—er, in order. This has been a good year for LGBTQ rights around the world. In the U.K., Prime Minister Cameron pledged to legalize gay marriage by 2015. In Spain, the nation’s highest court upheld the 2005 same-sex marriage law despite an appeal. In Argentina, sex change surgery was declared a legal right last May, and our own President finally voiced his full support of gay marriage in November. That means that there are now 10 U.S. states where we enjoy that legal freedom. But despite these gains, there is still much to be done. And nowhere is this truer than the place we spend most of our hours: the office.

Everyone is petrified about this topic – there is a range between personal and professional that we are too scared to cross. Imagine if they look at me differently? What if they treat me in a different way? Imagine if they don’t want to hang out with me in the break room anymore? AM I GOING TO get fired?

Sadly the simple truth is that many gay people in this country have a right to think these questions. Why? Because 29 states do not have our backs. ENDA (Employment nondiscrimination Work) continues to be ongoing. What it could do is make it a federal government law that no state would discriminate against the LGBT community.

Now with this thought, of COURSE there is certainly fear of being released. If you are raising a family with your partner, you shouldn’t need to cover it. Developing at work can be the most difficult decision if you are living in certain expresses, because then you are literally throwing yourself susceptible to your employer. They are now “God” and can decide your destiny. So depending on their views, it can be either good or unattractive.

As someone who has worked in two different claims – one being truly a state without discrimination regulation – it is a totally different work place. There is no office training on how to cope with discrimination nor harassment, and when a gay issue arises it will always be a complicated thing. This is traumatic for the employee.

Here are the 29 States that may discriminate against you if you are gay. They can fireplace you, refuse to hire you, refuse to offer you a promotion, and ignore office bullying:

Idaho
Montana
North Dakota
South Dakota
Utah
Arizona
Alaska
Wyoming
Nebraksa
Kansas
Oklahoma
Texas
Missouri
Arkansas
Louisiana
Kentucky
Tennessee
Mississippi
Alabama
Georgia
Florida
Michigan
Indiana
Ohio
Pennsylvania
West Virginia
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
…. Long list, huh?

Coming out at work should be a well-planned decision. You first must become familiar with the atmosphere where you are working. The people, the moods, the surroundings and your manager. The advantages of being open up are amazing and will only make your work quality better, but it continues to be is a problem with many customers.

Here’s how you is going about it:

First, a great idea is to find somebody who is a supporter of the LGBT community. One which you understand won’t judge you if you turn out to them. Be sure you know this person fairly well and keep it on the DL. Confide in them and trust them, be familiar with the consequences if they inform you – AND BECOME READY FOR THIS, in the event. Get advice from them on how to deal with certain people.

Second, if you are ready to come out, make sure to do it in a slow process. Put an image of your lover on your desk. Put an LGBT-related sticker on your seat. Create an open up dialogue on issues. Get the information out as sly as you can. Make a plan!

Third, if you are preparing to go to a Xmas party or office activity, consider bringing your lover or boyfriend. The elephant in the area will only exist if you make it a problem. A lot of people won’t care if you don’t show it bothers you. The simple truth is that if you are good at your job, most of the time the employees will ignore their own views.

Lastly, & most importantly, consider your relationship with your boss. Not having the ability to talk about an important part you will ever have with your coworkers is a large deal. Your company however, is the most important person you will need to consider. If they are a homophobic insensitive personality, perhaps you is going about developing in a far more delicate way. Don’t sacrifice the grade of your projects for your bosses authorization. Keep your projects as high-standard as it can be. That’s really all your employer cares about in any case. Once you demonstrate yourself, chances are that he/she will be more open.

Don’t fear! Being true to yourself is the most important thing you can do, both in and out of work. You must never need to be frightened to go to work. Getting terminated because you are gay does happen, but it shouldn’t happen. People who have a brain will know this, and this is what you ought to understand. Just because the law has no protection in these expresses, doesn’t mean that it will happen to you. Folks have consciences. They know what’s right and wrong – and if they’re smart they will view the dilemna, which is the productivity of you as an employee.

Most companies in these 29 expresses will not give workshops, won’t offer resources, and can never give presentations of gay bullying or harassment. Take it into your own hands and allow you to ultimately be your own voice.

Do what you know you must do. Come out.