Homophobia In the Workplace

You can personally believe what you want to about the moral aspects of homosexuality and still be an ally in the fight against discrimination author and educator Brian McNaught points out in this outstanding seminar modeled on McNaught's award-winning presentations to audiences in corporate America. After first suggesting that "homophobia" is one of the more abused and overused words in the English language, McNaught outlines situations which do indeed merit the term: from the telling of mean-spirited anti-gay jokes to actual physical violence. But, as McNaught convincingly argues, indifference and ignorance on the part of society at large are the passive backdrop against which particular injustices are allowed to occur. Verbal and physical abuse, termination, and unequal pay (as reflected in the denial of healthcare benefits for longtime companions), are some of the penalties for revealing one's sexual orientation. And, to the charge that one's sexual orientation is private business, McNaught makes a telling comparison: heterosexuals can put pictures of their spouses and significant others on their desks at work, talk about what they did with their families on the weekend, or dance at company picnics. In a truly just society all of these options would be equally available to gay and lesbian employees; yet we know in our hearts that they are not. Programs like this one can, hopefully, help bring that ideal into reality. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. [Note: when purchased with Growing Up Gay & Lesbian, reviewed in this issue, the two tapes cost $59.95.] (R. Pitman)