Sexual Identity In The Workplace
While incorporating factors such as money, position and/or power, and one’s social life along with the relationships one has established with people, one’s identity can additionally affect how successful he or she may be in the career they choose to pursue in. In the LGBT community, there are a few circumstances where one’s sexual identity can affect an individual from succeeding as their heterosexual counterparts would do so. This includes being discriminated against, wanting to stay closeted at work about their personal lives, and not feeling welcome due to them having a different sexual orientation throughout the heteronormative work environment.
DISCRIMINATION
Approximately 3.5% of people in the United States identity their self as being …show more content…
In the United States, 29 states lack protections for one’s sexual orientations in the workplace while 32 states are deficient of the same protections based on gender identity (“An Important Step Toward Workplace Equality: An Executive Order on Federal Contractors”). Without these protections being instilled in the work environment, one may feel as if they should remain in the closet and not express their sexual identity or personal life to their coworkers. On the contrary, having these protections integrated throughout a workplace still causes tension and stress for those who want to openly express their sexual identity. For instance, over 53% of LGBT employees hide who they are in their workplace (Militello 4). Additionally, it is highly common for gay men to choose not to disclose their sexual orientation and keep their sexual minority status a secret to conceal their sexual identity (Militello …show more content…
As stated before, laws and policies are being implemented in order to allow people of the sexual minority to be allowed to express themselves openly without being reprimanded by heteronormative norms in the workplace. Another positive contribution is social acceptance. According to Militello, research shows that being accepted is a major component for workers to be satisfied in their workplace (3). Not only is social acceptance necessary in the workplace, but in society as well. However, today’s society is starting to be aware and more accepting of the LGBT community by realizing that they are humans as well, and that the only difference is their sexual orientation. This makes it easier for LGBT employees to feel welcomed and appreciated in the
DISCRIMINATION
Approximately 3.5% of people in the United States identity their self as being …show more content…
In the United States, 29 states lack protections for one’s sexual orientations in the workplace while 32 states are deficient of the same protections based on gender identity (“An Important Step Toward Workplace Equality: An Executive Order on Federal Contractors”). Without these protections being instilled in the work environment, one may feel as if they should remain in the closet and not express their sexual identity or personal life to their coworkers. On the contrary, having these protections integrated throughout a workplace still causes tension and stress for those who want to openly express their sexual identity. For instance, over 53% of LGBT employees hide who they are in their workplace (Militello 4). Additionally, it is highly common for gay men to choose not to disclose their sexual orientation and keep their sexual minority status a secret to conceal their sexual identity (Militello …show more content…
As stated before, laws and policies are being implemented in order to allow people of the sexual minority to be allowed to express themselves openly without being reprimanded by heteronormative norms in the workplace. Another positive contribution is social acceptance. According to Militello, research shows that being accepted is a major component for workers to be satisfied in their workplace (3). Not only is social acceptance necessary in the workplace, but in society as well. However, today’s society is starting to be aware and more accepting of the LGBT community by realizing that they are humans as well, and that the only difference is their sexual orientation. This makes it easier for LGBT employees to feel welcomed and appreciated in the