Sexual harrassment is unacceptable
Since the beginning of the sexual harassment allegations against Peter Slipper, there has been a lot of press surrounding his use of transport.
Most of the discussion in the press about the sexual harassment element of James Ashby’s claim has centred on whether or not Ashby was a pawn of more senior Liberal members to entrap Slipper.
I do not intend to comment on the significance or otherwise of these two issues.
What we have not seen enough of, which is the critical public issue, is the condemnation of sexual harassment in the workplace. It is completely unacceptable in any workplace, and we (as lesbians and gay men) need to firmly put our collective foot down about it. If someone at your workplace makes a comment that you feel offended or threatened by, you have the right to lodge a complaint about that person’s behaviour.
Gay men and lesbians do not have to “put up” with offensive commentary on the basis of who we are or just because we are a sexual minority in our workplace.
It has been my experience as a lesbian that our community experiences harassment and bullying in the workplace differently from our non-LGBTIQ identifying workmates. People at work can collectively make comments they believe to be innocuous, comments that are no different from those made in the schoolyard, or amongst groups of their straight-identifying friends. But it affects us differently.
I’ve lost count of how often I’ve had to point out that I’m a lesbian, not a misogynist, and I don’t want to talk about “tits” and objectify women with you. In fact, it makes me quite uncomfortable!
While it is not our responsibility to put ourselves in a compromising position by confronting an individual, speaking up to an unsympathetic manager or roundly outing ourselves, we all need to be aware that our rights are protected by the law, and that means we do not have to work in a hostile or offensive environment.
It is time for a cultural shift to take place in workplaces where sexual harassment, harassment and bullying still take place. Even if it is, as I’m sure we’ve all heard, “just a joke”.
We’re not laughing.
If you wish to lodge a complaint but don’t feel comfortable about it, your union delegate or the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW can support you and put you in touch with appropriate contacts.
Please also don’t hesitate to get in contact with the GLRL if you are experiencing harassment in the workplace, and we will be able to put you in touch with people who can assist.
INFO: www.glrl.org.au
By LAINIE ARNOLD, NSW GLRL
