Homophobes are sad… especially in the workplace

“I don’t like your shoes…it’s too gay“. This was a comment made to one of my friends in the workplace by his superior, sadly, my friend was later dismissed when he complained.

Picture going to work, comfortable in your sexuality and strong in your mind set about who you are as a hard-working individual, only to be stripped down and ripped apart everyday for five years by your bosses and colleagues for one simple reason…being openly gay.

Homophobic bullying is sad to say the least. but the law isn’t doing enough to protect those that choose to be open about their sexuality in the workplace. I realise that is a bold statement because i’m sure most of you could quote many articles and clauses from several discrimination laws that protect your rights as a homosexual…but you would also find it difficult to find several clauses on integration, especially when discrimination is solely focused on the integration of race and gender; and fairly vague on homosexuality.

“Man up…complaining about homophobia is quite a stretch, don’t you think?“. This was another comment my friend received from a few of his colleagues when he decided that enough was enough. Unfortunately these comments all came from middle aged straight men that’s probably too miserable in their own lives so their only form of self gratification is to harass and bully others.

Remember my comment about integration earlier? As a nation, we have come far with race relations and cultural integration, which is commendable, but curbing discrimination against the LGBT community is still light years away. Allowing Civil partnerships in New York or Gay  Marriages in England will not change the discrimination that the LGBT community faces… especially in the workplace. There’s always talk about racial integration and diversity targets, but what about LGBT inclusion and integration?…(insert flippant straight reader rebuttal here).

“I can’t put two gay men to work together…we don’t need a slum in this office“. This is another comment my friend received when his company “unknowingly” hired another gay man. (The guy was never confirmed to be gay, they all just inferred he was because of how he looked and dressed). It was at this point my friend decided to raise the issue with the company’s diversity head which resulted in him being dubbed a “loose cannon” and eventually being “terminated” a few weeks after.

Sad…

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