Am I out at work?

[dsc]

Should be an easy question. But let's face it, it isn't. Now, I am out to faculty. I am out to some students (nearly all of them are in the GSA). But I have taken a fifth amendment approach to the other students. So, am I out? Turns out, I guess I am. Today I had a student making up a test, who is a very good friend of a student I had last semester. This student had reacted to the announcement of the GSA but had made a point of asking how the meeting went and if I was "taking crap" for the announcement. Soon talk turned to one thing and another and he asked, I told. Then I told him that I felt that if the other student knew he might think less of me. This kid told me that that one already knew and that he was fine with it.

So I guess I am out at work. Funny how that works.

The retirement dinner I went to tonight made me realize just how far out at work I really have become. Only one person at this dinner knew I was gay (it was for a coworker at my former school) and the comparision is striking. It really is better being honest at work.

I am considering actually just answering yes the next time I am directly asked (I actually likely would have told my stats class had it asked). At this point, I am not sure what the difference would be.

[Olney Blue]

1. I wish our society was evolved enough... so you could never have to worry.

[dsc]

2. true

Schools are so principal dependent. Mine has been great on this.

[BillSam]

3. Being out when there are students, young people, involved

is always a different story -- and more difficult. But it sounds like you can handle it!

Stay proud, your head held high, and you can deal with whatever comes your way.

[dsc]

5. I am trying. Truth be told I am nervous

I didn't plan it this way, obviously. I intended to wait to be tenured which would make me more calculating so maybe it is better it happened this way. I admit this fifth amendment answer has entered the realm of the absurd. Who could I concieveably be fooling with this? But as you say, it is kids. That is what holds me back. I also have an adult in one of my classes (a nurse for a student) and that could be sticky.

[LeftCoast]

4. For the first time I am 100% out at work - with one exception

I'm not always out with patients. A lot of times I just don't want to take the time to correct an assumption and there's always that worry that it's going to cause difficulty in taking care of them. I suppose I should just move to a 100% out policy and forget about it. You kind of have to wonder at the person who would have a problem with a gay nurse in San Francisco. LOL

I think you just have to figure out what's safe for you in your environment. I'm glad you are finding that your environment is safer than you feared.

[dsc]

6. admittedly you can't be exactly uncommon there

We are, in some respects, in the same boat. Part of me anticipated this comming up. I knew, if asked, I would do the GSA. I knew, if I did that, I would be honest with the students. I knew, once I did that, I would be where I am now. I could make love with Michelle Pfiffer on the 50 yard line during half time tonight, and the reaction would be he is faking it. Good luck with your situation. You are doing God's work out there.