So many reasons

[ExistentialLuv]

It is great to live in the state of Oregon

I have been interviewing for a job the past week. I had two interviews with managment and had to go back for a third and more informal interview with the Assistant manager.

I had never interviewed with a lady before at any job I have worked so I was a little nervous.

It went so much better than I thought it would.

Arrived a few minutes early so I could compose myself. She came out and introduced herself. Thinking she was going to ask the usaul questions you get asked for a job, I tensed a little. Then she blew me out of the water with very informal questions.

What makes me me?
What brings me to Oregon?
What are my interest?
What do I want from life?
What makes me motivated to achieve what I want out of life?

Then what brings me to the city I am living in now? Without thinking about it I said "My GF asked me to move in with her and I said yes."
She rolled right with it and started to ask me how I like living here. Did not even blink at my statement. I knew this would be a very comfortable place to work after that and I could be very open about my sexuallity (I am already but this really made me feel extreamly comfortable).I was not even worried that I might not get the job because I am a lesbian.

Not only did I get the job but she gave me .50 more than what I asked for. I am so excited and Happy.

I am a very impulsive person and seem to act without thinking over the consequences often. If I had not got the job i would have just moved on. In fact my thoughts would go towards I was not what they wanted for the job, or as I get often, I am over quilified. Not that I am a lesbian and they discriminated against me.

Just wanted to share my happiness that you can be very open about your sexuality here in Oregon. So please take the poll, discuss and share your thoughts and feelings with me.

 

[naudiz]

You live in Oregon? Cool! So do I.

I couldn't find an answer for the poll, because I can't work outside my home, and at home, I'm always out.

I think it would depend on the job, the need for the money, and the atmosphere. In this economy, it's not easy to pick and choose, and income is income. In an ideal situation, of course I'd look for work in a gay/bi friendly environment.

 

[ExistentialLuv]

You live in Oregon? Cool! So do I.

I couldn't find an answer for the poll, because I can't work outside my home, and at home, I'm always out.

I think it would depend on the job, the need for the money, and the atmosphere. In this economy, it's not easy to pick and choose, and income is income. In an ideal situation, of course I'd look for work in a gay/bi friendly environment.

How cool. I have met 2 people from OR today and both part of the LGBT community. Nice to meet you.

We should all plan a Or lit get together sometime.

MY love Pollyjean is also from OR.


Yes our economy does suck here. I believe it is 3rd highest for unemployment in the nation. I am not going to post my opinion on this subject though. The great thing though is I think most of OR is a LGBT friendly enviroment.

 

[naudiz]

The great thing though is I think most of OR is a LGBT friendly enviroment.

Hear hear! There's no place like home.

 

[Etoile]

Your poll is kind of confusing - I'm not sure what answer to give. Can you rephrase the questions?

 

[Ms_Lilith]

I didn't do the poll because I can answer yes to most of those.

Yes, I came out in my interview. Yes, I came out with other employees after I was hired. Yes, all of management knows I'm queer.

*shrug* I would hate to hide it, and then end up in a homophobic office.. I'd rather say it in the interview, and then not get the job cus of it, than go to work to a negative atmosphere every day.

 

[Queersetti]

Congratulations on the new job!

When I was teaching in the public schools, I had to stay semi-closeted. It could be characterized as a "don't ask, don't tell" situation. I didn't hide my sexuality off hours, but I didn't bring it up at work either.

That's one of the reasons I took the opportunity to become self employed. I don't have to answer to anyone for who I am.

 

[Lord Greystoke]

Major Congrats Luv on the new job! I knew you would get it!!!!

from a major admirer!

 

[ExistentialLuv]

Your poll is kind of confusing - I'm not sure what answer to give. Can you rephrase the questions?

Hi sweetie. I know it is. I just read it before I read your post and realized I need a yes or no to go with it, or something. Nice to see you back.

 

[ExistentialLuv]

edit

 

[ExistentialLuv]

I didn't do the poll because I can answer yes to most of those.

Yes, I came out in my interview. Yes, I came out with other employees after I was hired. Yes, all of management knows I'm queer.

*shrug* I would hate to hide it, and then end up in a homophobic office.. I'd rather say it in the interview, and then not get the job cus of it, than go to work to a negative atmosphere every day.

I understand totally what you mean. I had come out at previous jobs after I had got the job. The atmosphere was extreamly negative after that. Funny thing though, not from the woman but the men. I had a hard time understanding it, came to the conclusion it intemidated them.

Thanx for your reply

EX


By the way hello and nice to meet you. I know you are not a newbie but have not seen you around before

 

[ExistentialLuv]

Congratulations on the new job!

When I was teaching in the public schools, I had to stay semi-closeted. It could be characterized as a "don't ask, don't tell" situation. I didn't hide my sexuality off hours, but I didn't bring it up at work either.

That's one of the reasons I took the opportunity to become self employed. I don't have to answer to anyone for who I am.

I really do understand were you are coming from. Public school system and all. Not only did you have the staff to contend with about your sexuality but the big one, PARENTS. You do have to be very careful in some jobs and a teacher is one of them. Hopefully one day soon are sexually preference will not be looked down on with such hate and disgust. If people would only reserch the subject more instead of listening to society they would see we do not try and convert straights to be gay. Hope I worded that right.

Thanx for the reply Q.

 

[ExistentialLuv]

Major Congrats Luv on the new job! I knew you would get it!!!!

from a major admirer!

Thanx so much handsome. You are a great guy. Not only did I get it, but after work today I got a .50 cent raise.


Hope you have had a great day PJs and my pet

 

[MzChrista]

Cool about your new job.

I actually got my job partly because of being gay so I got nothing to complain about.

 

[Ms_Lilith]

I understand totally what you mean. I had come out at previous jobs after I had got the job. The atmosphere was extreamly negative after that. Funny thing though, not from the woman but the men. I had a hard time understanding it, came to the conclusion it intemidated them.

Thanx for your reply

EX


By the way hello and nice to meet you. I know you are not a newbie but have not seen you around before

Hi, no, I'm not new... and thanks for the welcome. I've been on something of a hiatus. *smile*

 

[Queersetti]

I really do understand were you are coming from. Public school system and all. Not only did you have the staff to contend with about your sexuality but the big one, PARENTS. You do have to be very careful in some jobs and a teacher is one of them. Hopefully one day soon are sexually preference will not be looked down on with such hate and disgust. If people would only reserch the subject more instead of listening to society they would see we do not try and convert straights to be gay. Hope I worded that right.

Thanx for the reply Q.

The really troubling thing about a profession such as teaching is that in even the most tolerant communities, it will only take one or two angry parents to cause enough noise to make your life miserable.

 

[MissTaken]

I had a young gal working for me several years ago who lived with "Randy." Now, she intentionally led me to believe "Randy" was a guy. Given that the work we did was with children in their homes, I was more than a bit miffed when the child's mother called me to tell me that my "dyke" employee was going to teach her daughter to be gay.

Yes, sad but true. This mom was so nuts as to say and really believe this.

To be honest, as I told that young gal, she should have told me from the beginning. I would have used a bit of caution in terms of what home I placed her, but otherwise, didn't care what she did in her own home. She either should not have given teh parent any reason to think she was gay or come out to me completely. By not saying anything, she placed everyone in a difficult position.

The gal cried after having had a string of difficult positions in other jobs due to her sexuality.

 

[sigh]

I got my current job right out of college and there wasn't anything remotely resembing a question about sexual preference during the interview. He didn't bring it up and neither did I. With the shortage of pharmacists that exists just about everywhere, the interview pretty much was "are you licensed to practice in Illinois?". (There was other stuff too, but that's pretty much what it boiled down to.)

My answer was no (being a new grad and all, I hadn't taken the boards yet) so then he asked when I would be and I said in a few months, as soon as I passed the boards.

I had the job before I left his office.

Since then I've made no secret about being gay but don't run around announcing it either. All of my direct coworkers know by now (including the aforementioned interviewer/boss) and as my love is a nurse in the hospital, quite a few other folks outside the pharmacy know too.

It's no big deal though. Even the Sisters seem comfortable with it. Carol (my GF) and I sit on the ethics committee along with a priest, two nuns, a rabbi, a minister, two doctors and a variety of other folks from the hospital and community and nobody raises an eyebrow about us.

In my day-to-day job I do have one advantage, though. The pharmacy is a secure area and we have little contact with the public. You have to get through a number keypad and an ID card swipe to open the door so we're fairly insulated. Carol has a bit more difficult time but she works on a closed psych unit so she's sort of insulated too. Neither of us has experienced the disapproving public eye that Q is talking about.