Homosexual Collaborators’ Perception About Discrimination by the Organization and/or Peers: A Case Study

Abstract

AbstractThe present study focuses on the perception of homosexual individuals, in the labor context, either by heads or pairs, about discrimination. In light of concepts such as coming out, homophobia vs. heteronormativity and management of organizational diversity, this exploratory case study intends to align some concepts, doubts and hypotheses that have emerged throughout the literature review in order to foster future work. This chapter looks to analyze common points among the interviewed people, confronting, at the same time, with the literature. So, we have developed two interviews with two homosexual individuals who answered questions related to their sexual orientations’ perceptions, both at individual level and in society in general as well as in the workplace context (functions, managers and peers). This study looks to identify the employee’s perception about sexual discrimination by the organization where he/she works, and the peers and whether the individual should reveal or omit his / her sexual orientation. The analysis of the interviews suggested some facts different from what was read. For example, the interviewees don’t perceive discrimination and reveal that less and less this difference is felt in the work context. In short, it is also intended to “open doors,” sensitizing and showing that the management of diversity in a labor context is of great importance, not only for the individual in his individuality, but also in the social / labor context, as well as in the performance of their functions and, consequently, the dynamics of the organization.KeywordsComing outHomophobiaHeteronormativity and management of organizational diversity