“conversations that they seem so relaxed in are the conversations that make you panic the most”
Where do you stand in the staff room?
The workplace for many is the financial pillar to a person's welfare. Working provides money, stability, opportunity and much more. It is an inherent part of our society. The inclusion of a relatively satisfying job is central to happiness and well-being. We work for most of our adult lives. Hours sleeping and hours working are the two activities that take up most of our time.
Watch this video and consider what it must be like to find yourself under threat of losing your job, of not making the next round of interviews, or if opening up about elements of your personal life could result in being vilified, bullied, isolated, skipped for promotion or even fired. There are laws and protections for the LGBTQ individuals who experience negative responses to their sexuality in the workplace and this is assisting change. There are more positive stories emerging.
The purpose of this post is for any non LGBTQ reader to consider from another perspective what this might be like. We live in an increasingly accepting society; difference is not necessarily a threat anymore. In fact people who are more open and accepting to difference, whatever difference is, appear to experience more positivity, less anxiety, a sense of possibility and opportunity and a more contented sense of self, life and purpose. /Erich
Something the people of the LGBTQ Community also hope for.
BeLonG To Youth Services and The Irish Congress of Trade Unions jointly endeavour to unmask the concerns of the LGBTQ (or Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transexual and Queer) Community when considering the implications of revealing their sexuality in the workplace. The video focuses on individual experiences where the discovery, the concealing, or the electing to come out raises questions and concern around job security, singling out, equality, renumeration, promotion, bullying, emotional & physical abuse and basic acceptance. /Erich