7 Things to NEVER
Say to LGBT
Coworkers - Continued
By Darryl Hanna/Courtesy
of DiversityInc
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No. 3: "Why did you tell me that?"
It's important for people to bring their "whole
selves" to work, and coming out of the closet is
certainly a part of who one is. "The notion of
leaving a big part of your self at home and walking
into work is like walking around with two types of
shoes on," says Selisse Berry executive director of
Out & Equal, an advocacy organization that provides
services to companies, human-resource professionals,
employee-resource groups and individuals.
No. 4: "Which bathroom do you use?"
Transgender people often are asked what gender they
are. Such questions are inappropriate, warns Out &
Equal. It is important to remember that gender
identity is becoming an increasingly sensitive
subject.
No. 5: "We are not close enough for you to share
that information with me."
Not all employees are interested in their coworker's
personal lives. If you feel a colleague may have
shared too much information, you can simply say,
"Thank you for telling me that," says Peel.
No. 6: Referring to coworkers as "she-male."
There has been a lot of uproar these days over this
phrase. Transgender employees often are the brunt of
culturally insensitive jokes and comments.
No. 7: "What do you like to do in bed?"
Sexual questions and comments are always off-limits.
Not only do you run the risk of offending a
colleague, you are also teetering the line of sexual
harassment. It's important not to be confused
between trying to understand someone's personal life
and inappropriate sexual harassment, warns Kevin
Jennings, executive director of GLSEN.
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