chapter 11 - sexual orientation & gender identity Flashcards
What does sexual orientation mean?
a person’s identity in relation to the gender or genders to which they are sexually attracted; the fact of being heterosexual, homosexual, etc.
What are some facts from the text regarding the wages of gay men?
lesbians earn more compared to educated heterosexual women
gay men earn less compared to heterosexual men
What percentage of people who identify as LGBTQ+ does the text say are closeted?
Lastly, a study by the Yale School of Public Health estimated that globally, approximately 83% of those who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual are closeted, or “in the closet,” meaning they keep their sexual orientation hidden from all or most of the people in their lives
When a homosexual employee is physically or verbally abused in the work place, what is his/her best course of action?
Executive Order 11478, 1998
Prohibits sexual orientation discrimination in federal civilian workplaces
Does not include other employers
Amended in July 2014 to include prohibition of discrimination based on gender identity
Equality Act—The Equality Act passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. If also passed in the U.S. Senate, the Equality Act would amend existing laws to explicitly prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Bostock v. Clayton County, that the protections guaranteed by the 1964 Civil Rights Act based on sex also extend to discrimination against lesbian, gay, and transgender Americans.
What percentage of fortune 500 companies does the text say off transgender inclusive benefits?
Ninety-six percent of the Fortune 500 companies that participated in the survey include sexual orientation in their nondiscrimination policy and 94% include gender identity. About 71% of the Fortune 500 companies rated include transgender-inclusive benefits in their policies.
Study facts surrounding HIV/AIDS at work.
These fears add to the resistance of employers to provide domestic partner benefits.
Reality
69% of the new HIV/AIDS infections for 2018 were the result of male-to-male sexual contact, and almost a third of new infections were for other reasons.
Risk of contracting HIV/AIDS while at work is very small
HIV/AIDS is a protected disability under the ADA.
What is the primary reason sexual orientation has been controversial in the military?
Don’t ask, don’t tell (DADT) policy
Passed in 1993 under President Bill Clinton
Led to the discharge of 13,000 gays and lesbians from the U.S. military due to:
Fear of reduced cohesion
Fear of reduced enlistment of heterosexuals
Beliefs about the right to privacy of heterosexual personnel
What does the text say regarding attitudes about sexual minorities?
stigma - deviations from the desired norm in specific context
passing - conscious concealment of non-dominant group membership, which is not apparent
covering - individual effort to minimize non-dominant sexual orientation in order to fit in make others feel comfortable or progress career wise
What are some considerations HR should make regarding non-discriminatory policies?
Work and family for sexual minority employees
Some of the researchers’ recommendations to help such families include:
Ensure that work-family supports are accessible to, and inclusive of, sexual minority employees.
Use intentionally inclusive, careful language and phrasing of work-family policies and workplace conversations.
Acknowledge family diversity and provide education and support for diverse families.
Improve organizational climate to minimize stigma and help employees disclose their work/family needs.
What’s the primary difference between companies with inclusive LGBTQ+ policies and those without?
Organizations with inclusive LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) policies financially outperform competitors with less inclusive policies.
