Bigotry still in the workplace
Young queer workers are quick to identify workplaces as accepting or hostile to their sexuality by behaviour rather than gay-friendly policies, a University of Tasmania study has found.
Male participants described feeling detached from highly masculinised environments where watercooler chat sometimes included mention of casual sexual liaisons and the sexual objectification of women.
Moskoe, a 23-year-old sports store worker, said he faced a barrage of questions from his co-workers about his gay identity that signalled his otherness to the rest of the workplace.
They didn’t understand me being gay, Moskoe said.
At first I was a bit upset about these jock guys that knew nothing about being gay and were just drilling me as if I was a [pause] not a freak, but just abnormal. -˜Why do this? Why do that?’ things like that.
Others had unmistakably hostile experiences such as being called a pussy licker, faggot and pedophile by their manager.
The 2006-2008 study by Paul Willis involved interviews with 34 young people identifying as non-heterosexual. Three participants said they were unfairly dismissed in part because of their sexuality.
Franky, 20, said being labelled an incompetent and dispensable office worker by his evangelical Christian manager was a mask for anti-gay prejudice.
He made things very difficult. E.g. would not let me leave work, had a -˜gay’ chair for me and everyone else used a normal office chair… It was truly horrible.
Willis said co-workers sometimes provided support in the face of adversity which broke the sense of isolation.
Micro-practices of inclusion could also involve witnessing co-workers and people in senior positions take a stand against homophobic expressions.
Anti-discrimination policies alone were often dismissed as ineffectual, as one participant pointed out.
[We] had all those policies, procedures, harassment things, and all those policies, but it comes down to what is the policy worth? retail worker Michael, 20, asked after hearing a manager refer to him under his breath as a fucking faggot.
It’s one thing for someone in the head office to write something on a piece of paper that says harassment is not tolerated; it’s another thing for a person in that situation to go and mention it to someone.
Willis’s findings were first presented to a social work conference in Sydney late last year and were recently published in his PhD thesis.
Craig your comments are disgraceful, rude, crude and very hateful, can I just assume you are in the closet and gay yourself like Fred Nile????
Comments like “All faggots are potential pedophiles, rapists and all are molestors” are just hateful and disgraceful!
And this quote: “The top 7 serial killers in american history were all flaming homosexuals.” – where did you come up with that, while you were taking drugs while drunk off your face in a bathtub perhaps?????
All faggots are potential pedophiles, rapists and all are molestors. You may be fooling half the world, and you may have the law on your side now, but there are still enough people that know the truth about you sick scumbags. Stay away from my children you HIV infecting murdering raping bunch of perverted sicko’s. There is not a Faggot alive who hasn’t or won’t or wouldn’t try and turn a normal Man or boy over to their perversion.. They can be heard at various gay rallies chanting 10% is not enough, recruit recruit recruit. Wake up australia. Don’t beleive me, check out some of the gay forums, check out the pedophile group call north american association of man boy love. have a look at some Poofter surveys, where fags will answer they prefer group sex, more the merrier, they will have more than 100 sexual partners in their lifetime with some having almost that many in a single day at Gay parties. They will most liley die of aids or murder from another homo. The top 7 serial killers in american history were all flaming homosexuals.
Andrew,
Let’s consider your last paragraph about your former co-worker.
Did you ever give any thought to why he had an ‘annoying and clingy personality and was quite rude to people’? Could it have been that he’d had negative experiences in his life that shaped his behaviour? Or perhaps that was just your perception? Do you not see that he was ostracized socially and therefore it would have been very easy to make the link that he was being discriminated against due to his sexuality?
Persons can quite often mask homophobic behaviour behind the argument of ‘I’ve got gay friends but I don’t like the way you behave therefore I’m not being homophobic’.
The fact that your openly gay behaviour was ‘acceptable’ and his was not ‘acceptable’ socially speaks volumes. Did anyone (including yourself) ever try to have an honest conversation with him?
And as to your last point, it is not something I’ve ever experienced, or seen. I can’t imagine someone going to the trouble of putting themselves ‘out there’ by claiming discrimination by making a bogus complaint given the heartache that quite often accompanies such a claim.
Oh, and if we are still talking about Anita Bryant 30 years later, did she really slip into obscurity or rather infamy?
Cheers
Andrew I thought Harvey Milk was also gay ?
Gary, Anita Bryant’s attacks weren’t on Harvey Milk, they were on all gay people- particularly gay teachers -by attempting to outlaw anti-discrimination legislation. The way the gay community responded was by naming and shaming the Florida Citrus Commission who used Bryant’s face to promote Florida Oranges. As a result of the bad press and a boycott of Florida Oranges by gay equality supporters, the Commission fired Bryant as a spokesperson- thus beginning her slip into obscurity.
If a particular business refuses to treat GLBT people equally in the workplace or fails to protect their staff or take genuine complaints seriously they should be named and shamed so that we can avoid doing business with them- just like companies who are forward thinkers in workplace gay equality should be named and praised.
That being said, it is important to remember that not all claims of homophobia are genuine and not all should be taken at face value- even when they are sincerely intended.
For about three years I worked for a business which employed many openly gay and lesbian staff and I was openly gay to everyone the whole time I worked there. Yet after I left I ran into a co-worker who tried to convince me it had been a horribly homophobic work environment and that he had been a victim of workplace homophobia, though no one would come out and say it to his face. Although he sincerely believed this, the truth was that he simply had an annoying and clingy personality and was often quite rude to people- and this was the reason why his “homophobic” co-workers (many of whom had gay friends) didn’t want to mix with him on breaks or outside of work. There are also a very small number of individuals who will make bogus complaints motivated by personal gain or revenge, but I think that is extremely rare.
Great to see that the research has generated a lot of discussion. Just for Andrew’s info, Paul’s research involved indepth interviewing – hence the small sample size – and many of those participating in the research were in mainland States. I’d urge you to read the thesis. So many of the participants had fascinating stories to tell – not just of oppression, but the positive ways they were able to confront that oppression. It’s not all gloom and doom!
Gary,
First of all, thanks for the compliment by calling me ‘young man’. I’m an ‘ol dog myself…
Secondly, I am interested in taking this study further and would love to speak to ‘a good soldier’ like yourself for my research and also to hear your stories.
The great thing about this sort of research is that it opens up dialogue about these sorts of issues, and in particular can move those who perhaps might not comment ordinarily about their experiences into voice.
I had lunch with a friend this week who I hadn’t seen for a couple of years who use to work in Airlines for many years and now works for a government body and has effectively shut the closet door at work. The change in his social boundaries because of this are quite obvious.
You are right in that we must fight this slowly and methodically. Shutting up at work might be ok in the short term, but long term it damages us even further as gay men and functioning members of society.
Mark, even basic social research tells us that if we are able to be true to ourselves and our personality ‘type’ in our workplace, that we will actually be far happier and more productive employees.
Keeping our guard up takes work, and ultimately, deprives us of being able to do our best work. This may sound clinical, but it’s another way to quantify the ‘cost’ of workplace homophobia.
Oliver, congratulations on your stand. It can work!
Cheers all.
Ive worked with some Neanderthal Straight men in my time. The ones that are slowly evolving into Apes. A few years ago I told that to my Boss at the time. The look on his face was priceless. He was telling me how Im not getting any younger and it was time for me to get Married as I cant be Gay forever. Yeah Right mate! I was the office hero after that. Majority of the Hetero staff thought I had the Guts to truly tell him what I was thinking as they wouldnt have.
“D” (whatever that stands for) says we should name & shame homophobe businesses and employers.
Anita Bryant (the orange juice American homophobe tart of the 70’s) and her hate-filled attacks against San francisco Gay Activist Harvey Milk didn’t work for her.
I say you need to know how to fight the good fight.
Tit for tat stuff is something my eight year old nephew would likely play.
Why should we always image the local starving neighbourhood cat because we don’t know how to tackle those who preach hate & intolerance against us ?
Tackling homophobia in our society is like trying to plug a hole in the Titanic with Wrigley’s chewing gum.
It’s a slow process for all of us but I see changes it attitudes during my dealings with the main stream media journalists.
I have decided to spend my life in trench warfare against powerful people in the public who incite hate against us.
Like any good fighting soldier I am methodical in how I go about this work.
I WILL TAKE NO PRISONERS because the enemy will be inialated.
No. 1 on the list;
The Murdoch Press.
To find a list of media popularly known as the ‘Murdoch Press’ go to Wikipedia and key in ‘News Limited’ and ‘News Corporation’.
Those pages have menus which will display a list of newspapers , magazines and electronic media owned, controlled or associated with what is popularly known as the ‘Murdoch Press’.
Alot of companies now have deleted “sexual orientation” from their discrimimination-free workplace policies that are put up on work noticeboards & websites. It is just implied now, instead of being specified… hence adding to our invisibility. The specicy “race, religion, etc, as specified by law”. Where we were specified in the past, we are now relegated to “etc”. This has all contributed to actual rampant discrimination taking place at the coal face, despite the law, despite company policy, and despite some companies even sponsoring the Mardi Gras yet having employees displaying rampant & blatant homophobia, including refusal of service to customers (yep, sad to say).
NOT good enough!
I agree we should audit, and name & shame those organisations & have a list like they have in the U.S., where companies are rated for gay-friendliness, & they can improve to move up the list.
Marks advice sounds like appeasement of homophobes. Obviously there are limits to how much you tell of your private life. But why should mentioning you spent time with your partner on the weekend (for example) be a classified secret?
If heterosexuals shut up about their relationships only then will I consider returning the favour.
Mark stated: “My advice is simply don’t tell anyone your private life,it hurts but we live in a Homophobic world” –
Its not that simple if your an effeminate gay male your homosexuality can be obvious to everyone in the workplace without even going into your private life. A number of effeminate gay guys I know cant hide there sexuality due to there mannerisms etc.
Hello Nick,I am sorry if you have been hurt during your life thus far.
I am a strong and determined person because I have been hurt so many times because I am gay.
The only way to change things is to stand up and make a noise.
I hope with all my heart that you and other young gay men don’t have to endure my pain simply for trying to live your life openly as a gay man.
My work through the courts will lead to protecting gay people like you from vilification and abuse.
If you ever need my help I will gladly do what I can to ensure you are not vilified at your workplace.
I did a small study myself for a Masters degree a few years ago and found that our sexuality seems to affect our career choices, and that our career choices have an impact on how ‘out’ we are in the workplace. I have interviewed several people who’ve been happily ‘out’ at work for years, only to find themselves promoted and slowly (or quickly) starting to pull the closet door closed the further up the ladder they go. The Australian workplace still has a skewed bias toward the heterosexual male Leader, again the higher up the ladder, the more blokes. Sometimes the ‘boys club’ in higher positions is just as cruel as those at the frontline (although perhaps more masked).
Exclusion from being asked to play golf or go to the pub with the boys can be just as isolating as overt homophobic abuse. I have certainly been the victim of both in various positions I’ve held over the years, even in supposedly gay-friendly organisations and industries.
Both points of view have their merit in this forum (one of speaking out and one of keeping quiet). The argument is complex and the experience different for each individual. Whilst I encourage people to speak out, I understand that doing that may cause more pain and suffering and on balance, may not seem worth it. Whilst the advances in ADB have been fantastic, for some they’ve truly changed attitudes, but for some they’ve just driven behaviour ‘underground’.
Gary, I have been a distant admirer of your great work for many years. However I’m not sure that I, or indeed many a gay man have the intestinal fortitude of what you have achieved. Perhaps we need to learn more about how you’ve managed to emotionally make your way though this issue, rather than just what to do. I’m not denying that we don’t need more like you though.
Chillysauce and mr burns.The murdoch press is homophobic.i have an extensive file on my treatment at the queensland opperation.queensland police said the had no doubt that my partner and i faced”gross homophobia”in their cairns office.i went to anti discrimination and was awarded a small sum of money.i returned to work and the harasment escalated, through freedom of information i have documents proving their racist homophobic culture.the heroc enquiry and commissioner innes have seen all these documents and having invited me to talk durring their queensland hearing they have ignored my calls for help.i have worked every day since my sacking from murdoch i have a great job.the treatment i received at the murdoch press was brutal and sustained it has altered the way we live our lives.young gay people out there beware there is no protection.tom
I have to question the sample size of this study. Just 34 participants! Is the University of Tasmania that hard up, it can appove a thesis on this basis. While i’m not saying this sort of thing doesn’t happen in the workplace, maybe if the writer, had conducted wider research – eg: the mainland, it may have had a broader response.
Your so right Oliver,so right.I,ll add that Bosses are stuck in a Straight time warp where gay men are not allowed to join the “Boys Club” that have fringe benefits,once such is promotion.
Its these hypocrites and many others that cry “FAGGOT” or “GAY POOFTER” but get off by late night commercials with those Call me now ads featuring two So-Called lesbians and cry well thats ok two women touching and kissing each other.
My advice is simply don’t tell anyone your private life,it hurts but we live in a Homophobic world,ohh and back to those call me now ads,maybe just maybe one day we will see two goodlooking guys touching each other,im dreaming,thanks
Gay activists say its easier now for Gays than it ever was. I think its worse. The workplace culture generally is one of Selfishness and people not caring about anybody or anything. Bullying and Harrassment is only written on paper. An employer does find other ways of harrassment through subtlety and motivation of their staff. Also dont forget Gays Bully and Harrass other fellow Gays in the workplace as well. Ive come across some very mean and Vile Gay Bosses in my time. Ones that show their superiority making you feel like your just a Gutter Queer.
Gary is right. Managers in Head Office can’t know there is a problem until someone speaks up. If you are going to lose your job anyway because of an idiot supervisor, then why not make an official complaint and make the organisation put the policy into action?
Does that ridicule and vilification extend to being called a breeder, a homophobe, a bigot, and other such names?
I think heterophobic organisations need to be named and shamed as chillisauce suggests.
I’m not sure that most people are great thinkers. Mainstream media seems to act as a collective mind so that no one has to think too much. And so long as the vicious humour of bigots like Sam Newman is iconised in that media, so long as there are no gay role models except for the hairdresser and interior designer stereoptypes, clowns and victims, nothing much is going to change. Wouldn’t it have been nice if the two cowboys with bad diction in Brokeback Mountain had said, ‘screw you all, we’re moving to SF to buy a condo.”
You can legislate against discrimination but you can’t change the culture legislatively. And sometimes, I wonder if we don’t feed into the whole ugly thing anyway with our ‘victim mentality.’ And before we play that role too loudly, maybe we could have a look at how many profiles on cruise sites read: “NO GAM’s,” or “(NO HIV+)looking for clean and disease free.”
Anti Discrimination Act (ADAct 1977 NSW) does work to protect young people from discrimination and vilification in the workplace.
Instead of whining around the place imaging a victim mentality ,those vilified should go lodge a complaint with the ADB.
I am a serial complainant who can verify there is adequate protection for homosexuals vilified under the current ADAct.
You just need to know how to use it.
None should be singled out or ridiculed for being different.
We are all entitled to a peaceful work environment free from abuse.
Whenever you experience ridicule or vilification anywhere you should stand up and lodge a complaint with the ADB.
You should never run around the place saying the ADAct doesn’t work because it does.
I will continue my work in the courts and with the NSW legislator to help prevent gays and lesbians from having to endure abuse because of their homosexuality.
I would like to know which organisations discriminate against gays so that I could withhold my patronage from those homophobic organisations.
If those homophobic organisations are government owned and I was compelled to engage with those organisations I would like to be informed of the name, state, office of that homophobic government owned organisation so that I could assess my treatment by the staff of that organisation, either as a customer or as an applicant for employment.
Apparently we (all Australians) have a right not to be discriminated against. If someone acting in the capacity of a work colleague or work supervisor infringes our right not to be discriminated against they have apparently committed an offence to some degree.
They have also caused their victim some amount of physical and/or psychological damage that cannot be undone.
Homophobic organisations should be publicly listed so that people can access the list and with that knowledge they can avoid contact and engagement with the homophobic organisation as much as they can to avoid suffering physical and psychological damage.
An organisation could be categorised as homophobic if that organisation employs people who have attracted complaints for discriminatory behaviour. If those complaints have been investigated and found valid that information can be listed.
If the organisation is concerned about its image and reputation then it will take steps to inform the public about the circumstances of the complaints and its attitude to the offender and victim and its attitude to the Anti-Discrimination Legislation.
The public can then decide whether or not they believe the statements made by the organisation if in fact the organisation goes to the effort to inform the public that they have taken disciplinary action against the offending employee and taken remedial action to assist the victim and that it does support the Anti-Discrimination Legislation.
They could put their case through this organisation (The Sydney Star Observer) if the proprietors agreed.