Are you OUT at work?

[LipstickLola]

I was "outed" at work, once the bruhaha died down, it was all good.
I'm pretty private, but ultimately all of my worlds collided.

[Leigh]

I've never really been out at work, but now with starting My new job tomorrow and beginning My transition this friday I'll have to be out atleast somewhat since I'll be going through My changes as I work

[sweetfemme247]

I am not out at work because alot of people judge me there already

[chefhmboyrd]

i was out at work before my transition and during.........
my company has a very comprehnsive diversity policy, covering sexual preference and gender identity.
there are a few people who were initially uncomfortable with my transition. i guess it was ok for me to be a big dyke, but when i became a man, it was a bit of an adjustment for them.
all in all, it as been a very positive experience.
i have even been promoted to management since i transitioned.
i love my job.
@

[Ebon]

I'm always out at work. I don't see any reason not to be. I mean I don't go flying a rainbow flag around or anything but if some nosey old lady asks me if I'm married or if I have a boyfriend I say no I am the boyfriend or I'm a homo I like women. There is no need for both of us to be uncomfortable, it might as well be her.

[Cyclopea]

Yes I have always been out at every job since I was 14 years old, even though I have worked in some awfully homophobic and sexist environments. It can be very tiring answering the questions of the sheltered and confused, and I admit in recent years my tolerance for educating folks has waxed and waned. Recently I am just as likely to say "Google it" as provide a diplomatic answer. After 30 years I'm tired of being a 24/7 diplomat for the gay community.

My physical appearance does not allow me the option to pass as heterosexual since I am read as "butch dyke". Heterosexuals I've known who "read" as gay are quick to mention their opposite sex partners in casual conversation so I guess if I wanted to create a fictional life I could try it. That might be fun!

I know someone who invented a fictional baby so she could call out from work when she wanted because "the baby is sick". I always thought that was shocking- I guess because I tend to cultivate friendships among coworkers and don't want to lie to them.

I do think it's important for gays and lesbians to be out to everyone and feel that is what- more than any formal activism- has transformed broad public opinion in our favor. But it is tiring.

[DomnNC]

I've been out at every job except one and that being the US Army, back then there was no such thing as DADT, you told and you were dishonorbly discharged.

I've been out most of my life to my family. I've always been out to my clients as well (I own my own business).

If there was anyone in this town who didn't know prior to Nov 2007 they sure as hell know now. My wife passed away Nov 26, 2007, we were together nearly 17 years. I was listed as the surviving spouse and my parents were listed as her surviving "parents" as well in the small local paper as well as the larger paper of the big city we lived in. I was expecting some backlash perhaps at the funeral home because this is a small town but they were as gracious, accomadating and sympathetic as they come. They treated me and my wife with dignity. My clients sent flowers, a lot of them also attended her funeral as well. They were all great during this difficult time and they all saw that yes, we can have meaningful relationships and marriages as well.

My parents and my siblings were awesome as was the rest of my large family. All my brothers were pallbearers as they loved her very much. My parents flanked me on each side and held my hands as I was led down the aisle at the start of the service. The service itself was led by a femme lesbian minister. It was beautiful, loving and portrayed her as the deeply loved and lovely woman she was.

I wanted my family, my clients and anyone who wanted to be there to see that yes we exist, that yes we love, that yes we grieve and yes, our families are just like any other family.

[Miss Scarlett]

Have I gone as far as telling my current boss outright? No. I have a lovely string of rainbow crystals hanging from the mirror in my car and my "Pride Charlotte" sticker is in my rear window. The last time she rode in my car she closely examined those crystals and made no comment. We don't talk about our personal lives which, after my last boss Ms. TMI, is just fine with me. If she asks I will answer her truthfully. But I doubt that will ever happen. My boss is a lady who would never dream of poking around in my personal business. Not that it would matter to her anyway. There is a very out and proud attorney in town who happens to be gay and lives across the street from my boss. They are very close friends. She also used to work with an attorney who happened to be a lesbian.

I was out at my last job and it caused no problems. In fact she may have been a bad boss but she is a staunch supporter of the LGBT community and allowed me to work on things for Pride (and the half dozen other LGBT groups I was associated with) during my hours and use company resources like the copier.

The job prior to that - no way. In fact it was at that job where I knew I would be fired. But it was while I was working at this job when I became involved with Pride and several other LGBT groups. I knew that I ran a risk because the high visibility of some of the projects meant I would be in the mainstream media from time to time and really didn't care. If it cost me my job then so be it. (It has nothing to do with my job performance.) And it was while I was working here and taking this risk that my Mom told me that she and my Dad were proud of me - the first time I heard this from them in 47 years. I wouldn't trade that for anything.

[sylvie]

yes, i am out at work and in all aspects of my life..there are people at work who might not know, but that is probably due to the fact they don't know me much.. my friends there talk about it openly when i'm around and are comfortable with doing so..

i work with a cousin, my stepmother, an aunt and a few close friends.. so people know usually through them, especially my cousin, she loves gossip and feeding a good story to all, "hey, did you know..." lol.. if they ask me, i'd gladly tell them .. but of course no one really asks..

i've only had to tell a few - the word spreads around via them, or my cousin probably, lol. i have worked in some really homophobic environments in the past, so happy that my current job isn't like that at all.. although there are a few who don't like it, they just don't voice it but it's obvious in their actions...

[diamondrose]

At work, I don't put my buisness on the streets, but I also don't hide who I am. Also, at my job, there is not a lack of "family" and never has been. Overall, I do love to socialize and chatter my gums, but I keep to myself when it comes to my private life and others. I don't put myself out or into someone else's personal matters.

[JustJo]

I was on my enrollment information conference call about next year's benefits yesterday...more than 100 of us listening to the HR director.

She said...before we begin, I want to reiterate that if I slip and say "spouse" that also means "domestic partner"...so mostly I'm just gonna' try to say "your honey"...we all good with that?

Ever heard 100 voices all agree at once?

My company offers full and equal benefits to "my honey" and her son. Not only that, but she can earn the same incentives I can...which means they'll pay "my honey" $100 a month for using the free gym membership that they provide to both of us. Guess they want "my honey" to be healthy too. That's just how we roll.

Did I mention I love my company? So much for tales of corporate evil...

[oboejive]

I work for Fedex and have been for almost 2 years. While it has its annoying moments, the people I work with are awesome and trustworthy. All of them known I'm gay, and I even came out to my HR person (well....that's kind of a story in of itself). When I moved in with my partner, I was surprised to see that Fedex offers benefits to Domestic Partners. I think that it's awesome that they are open to diversity.

[nekohl]

I was out at work before I even started working there. I took my father's place when he retired and so everyone knew from him.
I'm treated as one of the guys/little sister by the guys. This means I am subjected to more burps and farts than I exactly care fore.

Other than that, my guys are cool. They don't get all pervy and ask about bedroom details. And the president of the company has made it clear that I am always welcome to bring a 'significant other' to company functions.

I have noticed that a couple of the girls in the back office get a little flirty with me even though they are married to men. I guess they think that since I'm a lesbian I would be into them? Lol I don't think they get that I'm not into girls who share their nail polish and make up tips with me.

[Abigail Crabby]

No one ever concludes I'm Queer unless I bring up the subject. Being taken for a straight woman is a curse to me, so I tend to speak up when it's assumed I'm the *little* woman and they ask about my husband.

My company is very progressive and offers domestic partnership health care, although the US doesn't allow it to be tax free as mine is, I'm happy that I've been able on ocassion cover my parter when I was partnered.

Been out in every job I've had since I first stepped outta dat closet.

[Jar]

I'm not sure I couldn't be

[msW8ing]

Being a 5'10" Amazon Femme with gay pride tattoos. I couldn't hide it. Not that I've ever wanted too. I'm out to everyone that spends more than 5 minutes talking to me. lol

[starryeyes]

Yep, 100%.... I work in a field that is full of us, though... so it isn't that difficult.


Starry

[BlindProfit]

there is still discrimination in my work place, so no one knows. I don't talk about my private life at all at work, so I don't know if anyone would know even if there was no discrimination. It doesn't really bother me, it doesn't change who I am, so I haven't really given it much thought. But I am single, so perhaps if I had a partner, I would want the benefits to cover them as well, and maybe then it would be an issue for me.

[Reader]

A funny thing happened earlier in the week. My boss emailed me to ask if I knew someone she was with at a business conference out of state for the company. It turned out that the woman she asked me about and I had, in fact, worked on another project together.

When I asked my boss why she was asking I was shocked that she said she was thinking that maybe I would be interested in dating this other woman.

I thought it was sweet, but also a bit odd to have my boss trying to be a match-maker for me!

[princessbelle]

Originally Posted by princessbelle

I am out more than I thought I would ever be at work. It's not common knowledge but I have told a few people that are close and then there are also some gay people there that are out and they know as well.

I don't discuss it for just any old reason. But, if someone is trying to fix me up (rme) as in wanting me to meet their brother for the 5th time (rme again) I finally just tell them so I can get on with things and try and hang out with the few that know my sexual preference without all that stuff.

My boss also knows because i felt that was important in case i am someday in a relationship and my partner or their family get sick/die etc.

I have been totally accepted by it all at least to my face. It makes me more comfortable and i'm glad i've at least told the few that I have.

Wrote this back in Sept last year. It's fun to go back and see past posts and see the amount of progress or changes we make in life isn't it?

Many at work know i'm gay now. I have found my company is very accepting however i am still somewhat careful with whom i tell. Mostly because it is no one's buisness unless "i" feel like it is.

Snacktime has met my boss, the office secretary and as a matter of fact also met my company's pastor (hospice clergy). They were very accepting and treated him with respect and ask about him from time to time and stuff.

It feels good to be accepted. It feels good to not hide. Now, just gotta work on the rest of the world.... *smiles.