Queer @ Work
Gay men and women have many challenges in the workplace. Some are similar; some are different. Chung and Harmon (1994) suggest that gay men are more likely to be interested in traditionally feminine careers than straight men, although they found that masculinity/femininity was not a predictor (as determined by BSRI). Adams et al (2005) did not find that Latino gay and lesbian youth felt restrictions on their career choices based on either their gender or sexual orientation.
Nam Cam Trau and Härtel (2004) suggest that the extra energy needed by gay men to explore and consolidate their gay identity takes away time that straight men have available to put towards career exploration. In addition, they suggest that the lack of a female partner at business social events makes personal bonding with those in a position to help these men advance difficult. Nam Cam Tau and Härtel feel that these are challenges that probably face lesbians as well. However, this study included both out and closeted gay men. Peplau and Fingerhut (2004) work from the assumption of openness in their study of lesbian workplace issues. They find that stereotypes about lesbians depict them as more competent and committed workers than their straight counterparts.
In the 1995 movie Jeffrey, Nathan Lane's character "Father Dan" says: "I'm a Catholic priest. Historically, that falls somewhere between chorus boy and florist." The idea of traditionally gay careers is well established (at least for men). However, given the general artifact of lesbian invisibility, I was very surprised by Peplau and Fingerhut's results based on a survey of heterosexual undergraduates. In the study, the students were given written examples of a "straight woman" and a "lesbian", but in real life, that distinction is rarely so straightforward.
Another issue I had with the studies used today was the sample sizes. Adams interviewed eight people; Nam Cam Trau and Härtel interviewed five. Finding a reasonable sample of willing participants for gay and lesbian studies is a constant issue.
Nam Cam Trau and Härtel (2004) suggest that the extra energy needed by gay men to explore and consolidate their gay identity takes away time that straight men have available to put towards career exploration. In addition, they suggest that the lack of a female partner at business social events makes personal bonding with those in a position to help these men advance difficult. Nam Cam Tau and Härtel feel that these are challenges that probably face lesbians as well. However, this study included both out and closeted gay men. Peplau and Fingerhut (2004) work from the assumption of openness in their study of lesbian workplace issues. They find that stereotypes about lesbians depict them as more competent and committed workers than their straight counterparts.
In the 1995 movie Jeffrey, Nathan Lane's character "Father Dan" says: "I'm a Catholic priest. Historically, that falls somewhere between chorus boy and florist." The idea of traditionally gay careers is well established (at least for men). However, given the general artifact of lesbian invisibility, I was very surprised by Peplau and Fingerhut's results based on a survey of heterosexual undergraduates. In the study, the students were given written examples of a "straight woman" and a "lesbian", but in real life, that distinction is rarely so straightforward.
Another issue I had with the studies used today was the sample sizes. Adams interviewed eight people; Nam Cam Trau and Härtel interviewed five. Finding a reasonable sample of willing participants for gay and lesbian studies is a constant issue.