Are you 'out' at work??

[B_am12388]

I'm a hairstylist, I work in a salon, so yes, I am. Lol.

 

[Dave NoCal]

I work at a university and my department is fairly social with some sort of pot luck each semester to which spouses, partners, children are invited. We talk about our family situations, etc... I was out when I interviewed for the job.
Dave

 

[freeballer24]

I'm out at work, I wouldn't have it any other way, it allows me to be myself without hiding who I am.

 

[mdp75]

HEHEHE I almost typed NO! but I seem to be one of the very lucky few right now. I really should do more than glance at thread headings since I thought this read Are you "outa" work... as in laid off

 

[Brick7]

Yes and No. I socialize with some of my coworkers and am out with them so they know I am gay. There are other coworkers who don't know but it's not like I'm keeping it a secret. It just hasn't come up. But if it does, I let them know.
Since the area where I live is quite conservative, clients, on the other hand, don't know and I don't mention it to them because you never know how they will react. But then it usually hasn't come up during my work with them, either. If they asked I would be honest, but they're not likely to ask because, well, we're working not shooting the breeze.

 

[nakedwally]

Currently I have my own company and most of my work is done from home. When I go to a customer I do not even bring up my personal life as it is irrelevant to most of the situations. I also have set a zero tolerance discrimination policy. I have only had one person so far discriminate against me and I refused business. I really do not care who knows either.

 

[340120]

I am out at work. Actually, I was never in. It has been the best thing ever in my life, as I am respected for who I am and everyone is mindful of my sexuality.

 

[snuffyjr]

Absolutely! After spending 20 years in the construction supply business (which comes with all those hot, sweaty guys), I left the field and am now working for a large public university, complete with diversity programs and all that stuff.

I wasn't out when I started the job, but now, after six years, I'm totally out.

For me, the biggest benefit is not having to spend the energy to keep up the "straight guy" charade.

 

[D_CountdeGrandePinja]

yes - without a doubt.

 

[D_Percival Puddleford Pukehorn]

oh i forgot about this thread. I can now answer YES for me.

 

[Capitolhillguy]

I am a courier who works with very blue collar type guys. I've been there 11 years and have never encounerted ANY gay prejudice. In fact most of the guys tease me about it in a playful manner. I have also seduced 3 of my straight co-workers over the years. All were hot! i"ve been the only out gay man who worked there but there have been a number of lesbians and F2M Trannies. I'm lucky to be in a liberal West Coast city. I couldn't have done this in the Deep Southeast where I used to live.

 

[Bbucko]

I've been working for 32 years and have never been anything but open regarding my sexual orientation. I've never considered living any other way.

 

[Florida Boy]

Yes, but only partial in my previous occupation.

 

[whatireallywant]

I was going to say you are lucky and must work in the arts or non-profit. But I think maybe, it's more likely that I live in a bizarre bubble. :redface:

I was thinking the same thing! Most places I've worked, you can't even let them know you're politically liberal, let alone gay!

I guess I REALLY live in a bizarre bubble! :biggrin1:

 

[Bbucko]

I was thinking the same thing! Most places I've worked, you can't even let them know you're politically liberal, let alone gay!

I guess I REALLY live in a bizarre bubble! :biggrin1:

Being open about who you are, and the freedom and peace of mind it entails, comes with a pricetag, which is often social exclusion and hostility. It's up to everyone individually to decide if it's worth the price, though the sting of being a pariah is lessened when the burden is spread around.

 

[D_Mainssworthe Maleorgan]

I am not out at work, and I have no intention of making it known.

Also, I think it depends on WHERE you work with regards to a willingness to "out" yoruself.

 

[whatireallywant]

Being open about who you are, and the freedom and peace of mind it entails, comes with a pricetag, which is often social exclusion and hostility. It's up to everyone individually to decide if it's worth the price, though the sting of being a pariah is lessened when the burden is spread around.

That's true. And definitely gay groups do help with that. In my case, I struggle to find others - I'm not gay but I have had some problems with hostility toward me for being a nontraditional woman, and most often now for being politically liberal. I've tried to find liberal groups and other than the very liberal church I go to, I haven't found much. The local chapter of Drinking Liberally (I do think that name is funny, but it's basically a group of liberals who meet in a bar and talk politics - it's nationwide btw) disbanded before I could go to any of the meetings, and the other liberal groups I know of have very few members, and most of the time nobody shows up. However, the conservative groups have LOTS of members and are always having meetings! So I guess it's pretty much church... I think it's kind of funny that I now go to church to be around liberals since I grew up going to a very conservative church and stopped going, and even became anti-religious for quite a few years, because of their sexism and repression! But yeah, it's hard to even be an out liberal when you work with people like at this one place I worked at, I worked across from a guy who didn't think women should've been given the vote, and who had open hostility toward anyone who was liberal, with a very growling tone of voice. Or another place I worked where anyone who was NOT racist was bullied at work (This happened actually to a few other people moreso than to me).

It can be bad out there! Some work places are better than others though. In fact, at one of the places I worked fairly recently, most people for the most part agreed with my political views. That was a nice surprise! You just have to gauge your work place, and if you'll get a hostile reaction, judge for yourself if you can afford (emotionally and even financially, since you could get fired if you are out at some work places!) the reactions from others at work.

 

[D_Percival Puddleford Pukehorn]

I am a courier who works with very blue collar type guys. I've been there 11 years and have never encounerted ANY gay prejudice. In fact most of the guys tease me about it in a playful manner. I have also seduced 3 of my straight co-workers over the years. All were hot! i"ve been the only out gay man who worked there but there have been a number of lesbians and F2M Trannies. I'm lucky to be in a liberal West Coast city. I couldn't have done this in the Deep Southeast where I used to live.

tell us the stories of your office conquest!!

 

[catman]

I am 'the widowed guy with 3 sons'.... am I out (bi) at work?
No...I do have 2 colleages (male and female) who have caught my eyes 'glancing' to males, and females... do they know? no idea...I did see a coworker at a gay/bi party once so it is assumed that we 'know'- as I teah I try to keep work and other things seperate.. just me

 

[Bbucko]

That's true. And definitely gay groups do help with that. In my case, I struggle to find others - I'm not gay but I have had some problems with hostility toward me for being a nontraditional woman, and most often now for being politically liberal. I've tried to find liberal groups and other than the very liberal church I go to, I haven't found much. The local chapter of Drinking Liberally (I do think that name is funny, but it's basically a group of liberals who meet in a bar and talk politics - it's nationwide btw) disbanded before I could go to any of the meetings, and the other liberal groups I know of have very few members, and most of the time nobody shows up. However, the conservative groups have LOTS of members and are always having meetings! So I guess it's pretty much church... I think it's kind of funny that I now go to church to be around liberals since I grew up going to a very conservative church and stopped going, and even became anti-religious for quite a few years, because of their sexism and repression! But yeah, it's hard to even be an out liberal when you work with people like at this one place I worked at, I worked across from a guy who didn't think women should've been given the vote, and who had open hostility toward anyone who was liberal, with a very growling tone of voice. Or another place I worked where anyone who was NOT racist was bullied at work (This happened actually to a few other people moreso than to me).

It can be bad out there! Some work places are better than others though. In fact, at one of the places I worked fairly recently, most people for the most part agreed with my political views. That was a nice surprise! You just have to gauge your work place, and if you'll get a hostile reaction, judge for yourself if you can afford (emotionally and even financially, since you could get fired if you are out at some work places!) the reactions from others at work.

I'm not a big fan of geographical cures, but then I've never lived anyplace like what you're describing (at least since high school). Personally I can't imagine trying to live my life in a place where the majority loathed me on contact for what I though, whom i loved or how I chose to live.

That's one of the reasons why I'm more a tribalist than an assimilationist. I'm not advocating segregation (at all) but I do feel more comfortable living in places where being gay's either no big deal or where it's kind of expected (like where I live right now). I like to be challenged on my own terms thanks.