More than half of gay, lesbian employees still closeted at work

[theHandpuppet]

http://money.cnn.com/2014/05/09/pf/gay-lesbian-closeted/
More than half of gay, lesbian employees still closeted at work
By Blake Ellis
May 9, 2014

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

Even as support for same-sex marriage and gay rights continues to grow, many workers still don't feel comfortable enough to come out of the closet on the job.

The majority, or 53%, of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees are closeted at work, according to a random poll of 806 LGBT and 879 non-LGBT respondents published by the Human Rights Campaign.

That percentage has barely budged from 51% in 2009, despite a lot of positive news for LGBT employees: a record number of companies now provide LGBT-friendly benefits, and more employers than ever have non-discrimination policies.

Meanwhile, there has been a cultural shift across the country, with more than half of Americans now supporting same-sex marriage -- including many business and political leaders.... MORE

[HockeyMom]

1. My daughter never has been

but since she works undercover LP, well, nobody has given her much trouble. Her wife, on the other hand, is a cosmotologist, and she has to keep up "appearances", so to speak.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. Can't say I am all that surprised.

Things are getting slightly better, but it can still have some really bad consequences if one comes out, even in an environment they think may be supportive. I was always out when I worked full-time as a professional, but I did work with many who were not, despite my field being very "supportive" (higher education).

[Fearless]

3. I've been in both situations at different jobs over the years.

It can be very frustrating to "watch your pronouns" to hide who you are dating. "My ex and I..." "They..." "We..." Etc.

Now, I just don't make a big deal about who I'm dating. Because it isn't a big deal. If it comes up, it comes up. Just the same as a straight boyfriend or girlfriend might come up in conversation. And if someone stops me for clarification, I stare at them dumbfounded as if I was needing to explain that the sky is blue and water is wet, and continue on with whatever I was saying. Because it's not a matter for them to judge who I date, only for me. And that's as it should be.