The Workplace: A Call For Action
I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked at welcoming places that do not accept any discrimination of any kind. Unfortunately, not everyone has had the same experience. People face workplace discrimination all the time. This blatant disregard for others can add to the struggles of anyone with mental health issues, especially those within the LGBTQIA+ community.
The LGBTQIA+ community has to cope with the stigma surrounding coming out. If someone wishes to, they will typically need to come out multiple times. Common spaces to come out include their social circle, family, and workplace. They never know how their coworkers or bosses could react and treat them. If it is a negative response, this can insight anxiety, depression, and similar mental distress. Sadly, research has shown that the workplace can be especially unwelcoming to the LGBTQIA+ community. In correlation, a destructive workplace environment can affect the mental health of individuals who identify with the LGBTQIA+ community. It may contribute to depression, anxiety, asocial behavior, and low self-worth. As we know, community members already struggle with mental illness more often than cis-straight individuals. The community does not need their place of work, their livelihoods, to add to this crisis.
While the United States has recently made strides in protecting the LGBTQIA+ in the workplace, more progressions are in high demand. Employers and Human Resource Experts need to be firm in enforcing that employees who discriminate or harass LGBTQIA+ individuals will not be tolerated. Such treatment should and can be grounds for termination or suspension. This might seem like a tall order, that is why we need your help. You can change what is happening. You can be a part of the movement against workplace inequality.
If you identify with the LGBTQIA+ community or are an ally, speak out against hostile work environments and practices. Whether it is happening to you or some else, speak up, act out, and do not accept it. Here is one thing to remember if you fear speaking out, either because your job is on the line, or you fear social ostracization: consider the long-term effects on both an entire community and your own mental health and human rights. Creating change means playing the long game. It will be hard, but without outspoken and shameless advocacy and activism, change will never be realized.
And to be honest, at the end of the day, what is worse? Momentary discomfort...or a lifetime of hatred.
