Beverley East, ContributorI KNOW this article may ruffle many feathers this morning, but do try not to burst a blood vessel when you read this. I am going to push the envelope a
little by addressing a very delicate subject that causes much contention and anger in the minds of many conservative and Christian Jamaican employee and employers.
Quiet frankly, I have been putting it off for some time but I have received numerous letters on the issue and feel I the need to address it. Our society is mostly intolerant to gay men. Gay women are invisible because most people may not recognise them so readily and the focus is really on gay men. Gay women don't seem to be such a problem, because they
are not seen as a threat, or their relationships with another woman is just not taken too
seriously. However, there are more gay people and bisexual workers in the workplace than you ever imagine.
May I be bold to suggest a couple of things to you. First, stop regarding gay people as
just sexual beings. Your gay
co-workers are educated, well travelled, articulate professionals, with skills that may equal or
surpass yours.
YOU ARE NOT THEIR TYPE
I'm not asking you to socialise with anyone you do not want to, but it is important that you recognise and are willing to be accountable for your attitude and behaviour. It benefits you and everyone you work with.
Don't flatter yourself to think because you are working side by side with a gay person that you may be a target of interest. Like all of us, your gay co-workers have 'their type', and 95 per cent of you are not 'their type'.
DISCRIMINATION
Second, consider the possibility that if you ever step foot on
foreign soil, and have an opportunity to work overseas, you will have to adjust very quickly to the laws in the workplace. Both in the United States and United Kingdom discrimination against gays, any inappropriate behaviour, speech or action could cost you your job or you could end up with a lawsuit.
Just as it is intolerable to discriminate against gender, race, class, long hair vs locks, it is equally intolerable to discriminate against a gay worker. Many of our Jamaican entertainers have been banned from the U.K. and the U.S., which have crippled their career, because of disparaging remarks used in their lyrics.
Another consideration is the possibility that you might have a family member who is seriously ill and the only person that could assist you and your loved one is a gay doctor. Are you going to let your loved one die rather than let this competent person take care of him/her?
If you have come this far, I thank you, please continue even if your blood is boiling and ready to write me a letter telling me how wrong I am. Well, I do welcome your letters, bring it on.
BE OPEN
All I am asking of you is to exercise a level of willingness to be open to change your attitude towards anyone you know or think is gay. You don't have to change your lifestyle unless you are hiding in the closet. Anyway, you just have to be open-minded.
The gay community is never going away; they are here to stay and increasing in numbers. So think before you talk, hold angry thoughts and dispel the myth that all their relationships are about is sex. And at least, if you cannot and are not prepared to embrace them, then say absolutely nothing that can hinder your job and your career. Remember, charity begins at home!
So I am asking you Jamaica, pleading with you, this person who you feel such anger towards, this person who disgusts you, this person who you feel should be sent to some kind or colony to
be healed, is someone's son, someone's brother, cousin, father, may even be your boss.
Let them do their job while you do yours. We all have something to offer in the workplace, and maybe with an open mind there is something that you can learn too. I welcome your
opinion, let's begin an open
dialogue rather than keep pushing it under the carpet. Thank you for reading this article.
Writefully Yours seminar series
A Path to Professional Power featuring career adviser Beverley East. Three main topics will be covered over the two-day event on June 11 and 25. These are:
What makes you tick? Understanding yourself through your handwriting JUNE 11
Finding your true career: From the job you loathe to the
position you love JUNE 25
Résumé writing: The marketing tool that gets you hired
JUNE 25
For reservations call 908 4110 or email us on writenow@n5.com. Seating is limited and the cost is $2,500. Door prizes, discounts and much more will be available.
