Silenced sexualities: personal experiences of discrimination in the workplace, as narrated by lesbians and gay men in Lithuania

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Darbo aplinka; Lyčių lygybė; Diskriminacija; Seksualumas; Homoseksualumas; Heteroseksualumas; Homofobija; Heteronormatyvumas; Seksualinė tapatybė; Tyrimai; Work environment; Gender equality; Discrimination; Sexuality; Homosexuality; Heterosexuality; Homophobia; Heteronormativity; Sexual identity; Research; Lithuania.

ENLithuanian social and political discourse on equal opportunities in working life has only recendy begun to encompass sexuality and the experiences of homosexual people in the workplace. Discrimination at work has previously mostly been discussed in terms of gender or age, while a more elaborate approach towards discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation has been absent. There is also very little national research which questions heteronormativity, attempts to reveal the experiences of silence and coming out by gays and lesbians in working life, or explores the ways in which these experiences affect individuals' identities and relationships with others within organisations. O n e of the reasons for this is that sexual minorities at work have gone unnoticed. As Martin (1992) puts it, just as men work with men and come to believe that they work in a gender-neutral world rather than in one dominated by men, heterosexuals also, by working with other heterosexuals, come to believe that they work in a sexually-neutral world, rather than in one dominated by heterosexuals. Because sexual minorities are socially invisible, sexual orientation is perceived to be irrelevant, as if gay people have a sexual orientation, but straight people do not. [Extract, p. 18]