VOICES
by Scott macdonald
The Simple Truth
Out and About At Work
when we speak of coming out, there’s often talk of cliché meta-
phorical doors – a slightly ajar door stands at the end of a dark
hallway and when opened, it can never be closed. my university
even celebrated National Coming out day one year with a lit-
eral door that GlBT people could walk through as they “came
out.” At the opposite end of this spectrum is the celebratory as-
pect – coming out represents an affirmation of one’s self, quite
often the end of denial and the beginning of truth. And while
the significance of this event in a person’s life cannot be under-
stated, it’s important to realize that it’s not a singular event. The
day a person comes out is not the beginning and the end of the
story; it is part of a person’s journey through life.
More frequently than not, when a person comes out for the first time they
share the moment with family or close friends. It can be difficult to antici-
pate how anyone will react, but with family and friends, there are usually
some indicators. Coworkers are harder to predict, especially when starting
a new job. you’re surrounded by strangers who could have completely dif-
ferent morals, backgrounds and experiences. And until we reach that point
in our society wherein we aren’t considered different, this won’t be the first
or last time this event occurs.
A few months ago, I had an interview with an online news organization in
the vancouver area. The job description and publication excited me – I’d
finally have the opportunity to become a reporter again. At the interview
I spoke with the editor and another reporter. The conversation went well
— I proved my abilities through my experiences — until they asked how
I ended up over here. I explained that I thoroughly enjoyed the city and
the new opportunities it offered me and that while visiting my best friend,
I had met my boyfriend and I needed to remain here for us. This revela-
tion killed the conversation. The two women looked at each other, mouths
agape. After a claustrophobic moment of silence, the editor merely said,
“Oh, I see…well, we’ll be in touch,” and ended the interview.
Thoughts raced through my mind as I followed the editor to the lobby.
With a rush of adrenaline, I asked for one more moment of her time and
took her aside. In a moment of blind courage, I asked point-blank, “Will
my sexuality really be a problem?” Her eyes darted back and forth, but
could not meet mine. “Well…I…no…I mean…if it’s not usually a problem
for you, then no, but, I mean, we are against gay marriage, so, you know,”
she stuttered. I smiled politely, laughed and said, “I see…then I’ll be in
touch,” and I left.
It didn’t take long for me to realize that I couldn’t work for a company
or with people who were completely against me. I can work with people
whose morals and values differ from mine – we all do it every day – but
this would clearly be an environment in which I already had strikes against
me. I didn’t know from the company’s online profile that they were reli-
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giously-affiliated or conservative. I only learned because, in a show of good
faith, I tried to share my story with them. I can only imagine the horrors of
what would have happened if I hadn’t. I withdrew my application before I
heard back. I didn’t lose anything by not getting that job.
When I interviewed for my current job, I followed the same protocols, but
with better results. It’s a non-issue for my employer and my coworkers. I
only know this because I took that chance, though. And it’s not as though
I make a routine of outing myself. I don’t walk into rooms and make a
formal announcement of it, and most people don’t know until I tell them.
I usually bring it up at the water cooler, so to speak. If someone asks how
my weekend went, I tell them I spent it with my boyfriend.
I don’t walk into
rooms and make
a formal
announcement of
it, and most people
don’t know until
I tell them.
If you aren’t out at work, consider what it is that stops you. There’s no rea-
son to hide yourself, but there’s also no rush if you’re nervous. Just as in any
coming out situation, fear of the unknown is your primary antagonist. As
the opportunity presents itself, come out and test the waters. It’s unlikely
you’re completely alone in your workplace. And as employers continue to
come out as supporters of LGBT rights, there will be even less to fear. you
have little to lose and everything to gain. Just be yourself. g
Scott macdonald is an award winning young journalist originally from Idaho. He writes
The Simple Truth for Just out. Reach Scott at Justout.com
September
2012