Coming Out in the Workplace

I wrote this article 6 years ago when I came out to my coworkers and staff.

October 5 marks my one year anniversary of my "coming out." I will let that sink in...

Why is this worthy of a Linkedin post? According to the Center for American Progress, gay and transgender individuals continue to face widespread discrimination in the workplace.

Anywhere from 15 percent to 43 percent of gay people have experienced some form of discrimination and harassment at the workplace. Companies have come a long way from the days of discriminating an employee because of their sexual preference. Still, there is more work to be done.

The Human Rights Campaign has some suggestions for those contemplating coming out at work.

1. Know your rights. Does your state or locality have a non-discrimination law including sexual orientation and gender identity/expression? Check to see if your employer has a written non-discrimination policy and whether it specifically covers sexual orientation. Also find out if the company's health insurance covers domestic partners.
2. Look for Support. If you decide to come out, find someone who's gay, or gay-supportive, at the company to discuss it with first. If there's a LGBT employee resource group, get in contact with it.
3. Just do it. Planning out who you'll tell, how and when, is helpful and can make it less stressful. Bringing up a gay-related news story (say Tim Cook coming out) or a TV show with gay characters, can be a way to start the conversation.

Benefits of being open at work

• Eliminates the need to hide or mislead.
• Makes deeper friendships possible.
• Breaks down barriers to understanding.
• Builds trusting working relationships.
• Lets us bring our “whole selves” to work.
• Being open can make you more productive, and can even benefit your career because your peers will see you in a new, perhaps even courageous, light.

My experience coming out in the workplace was very positive. I received many expressions of affection thru words of encouragement, emails and even invitations to lunch to "talk." After a couple of days, it was business as usual. Just like it should be.

Sources: Tips for coming out in the workplace Elizabeth Weise and Laura Petrecca, USA Today. Coming out at work, Human Rights Campaign.