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This
is a reprinted article from HRC
One of the biggest
risks you may face is coming out on the job. It's a
decision that has the potential to affect your livelihood
because there is no federal law that protects you from
being fired merely because you're gay, lesbian, bisexual
or transgender. Some employers have policies against
such discrimination - but most do not. It's important
to know the law in your state or city, and know your
employer's policy before coming out at work.
It's not always
easy to come out on the job — even if you've already
come out to your family and friends. When Linda Villarosa
went to work at Essence magazine, she was afraid to
come out to her boss and colleagues — even though she
had come out in college a few years earlier. But, once
again, she found she couldn't stand hiding any more,
and she took the chance. "My boss and I were in her
car coming back from a weekend editorial retreat, and
she was saying something about fixing me up with her
brother-in-law. And I just blurted out, 'I'm a lesbian.'
She was embarrassed about the brother-in-law and very
kind. And that Monday, I came out to just about everybody
else at work, and everyone was fine."
While some workplaces
can be supportive, it's important to remember that,
currently, only 13 states and the District of Columbia
have laws protecting you from discrimination based on
sexual orientation, and 59 cities and two states have
laws protecting you from discrimination based on gender
identity.
At the federal
level, the Human Rights Campaign is working with Congress
to pass a measure called the Employment Non-Discrimination
Act. ENDA would prohibit discrimination based on sexual
orientation. For now, however, use your best judgment
when coming out at work. If you feel comfortable enough,
you can be an advocate for your workplace to change
its non-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation
and gender identity. For more information, visit HRC
WorkNet - a national source of information on workplace
policies and laws surrounding sexual orientation and
gender identity — at www.hrc.org/worknet
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Tammy Baldwin,
an openly lesbian U.S. congresswoman from Wisconsin,
vividly remembers her fears. "As I came out, most troubling
was the thought that in order to live my life and my
dreams, I'd have to make a choice ... a choice between
pursuing a career in public service, perhaps running
for office, and living my life in an open and honest
way," says Baldwin.
"Many of us feel
we face this choice. At the age of 24, I decided I did
not have to make that choice, that I could do both,"
she recalls. "I could run for office and I could be
out. It was a terrifying thought. And it ended up being
one of the most freeing things I have ever done."
Remember, that
if you press for your rights in the workplace, some
supervisors and colleagues may become defensive. That's
probably because they are unfamiliar with GLBT-related
issues and, like most people, fear the unknown. Ensuring
that your conduct is professional and relaxed can go
a long way toward reducing fear.
If you are transgender,
you may want to discuss your personal situation with
a trusted manager, supervisor or human resources professional
before coming out to coworkers, says Jamison Green,
an activist and transsexual man. "It's also key to maintain
your work performance while you are focusing on a transition
— although it can be quite hard for some since often
they are dealing with considerable stress in their relationships
with lovers, friends or family."
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