Wherein I discuss workplace discrimination

Written: 04/24/2011

Once again (as always), Rob hits the nail on the head:

This made me think yet again of U.S. Representative Steve King and his belief that we don’t need laws banning workplace discrimination against gays and lesbians, because employees shouldn’t be “advertising” their sexual orientation anyway.

So I’m forced to wonder: What would Rep King want Adam to do?

When he’s asked where the cookies come from, is he to lie? Perhaps King wants him to shut out his co-workers with a vague and evasive answer (while they show him pictures of their kids, introduce him to them in daycare, bring them to dinner on the last night, and are left  to wonder why he’s so closed off)? Or is Adam simply not to bring the cookies at all? [to get the backstory about Adam and his husband, and the cookies, check out the full article at the link]

I don’t know which alternative they prefer, but my reaction is the same to each. What a meager life they want us to have.

And by “us” I don’t just mean gays and lesbians. I mean our associates and colleagues, anyone who works with other people, who develops relationships and builds human contact into their work life. What a meager existence they want all of us to have, closed off in cocoons of impersonal efficiency. Hell, not even efficiency — everyone in a successful office knows that strong relationships are the key to getting things done and weathering sudden crises.

Not that I’m in (or looking for) a relationship.  But one of the things I hate the most is the absolute silence I have to keep at work.

Everyone around me talks about their wives, their husbands (there’s a lot of complaining, but still), their children and the events in their lives.  I hear about date nights, anniversaries, first words and steps, school plays and sicknesses.

Anytime coworkers talk about their spouses, or the hot woman in the shop, their sexuality is being flaunted in front of me.  Yes, I’m good at diverting, and ignoring, but it is very tiring.  I may be used to the unfairness, but that does not mean I don’t despise it.

I’ll remain closed off and quiet, evading questions and keeping my distance from everyone in the office.  And as tiring and ridiculous as that is, I can only hope something changes soon.

All my best,

The King of Spades