Recently
the Australian Centre for Gay and Lesbian Research in conjunction with
the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby conducted research into the Workplace
Experiences of Lesbians, Gay Men and Transgender People.
Full
report available (Adobe Acrobat 4).
PREJUDICE
ALIVE AND WELL IN OUR WORKPLACES
A study
of the workplace experiences of lesbians, gay men, and transgender people,
to be launched tomorrow, shows alarming rates of discrimination and
prejudice. The study was a joint project of the Gay and Lesbian Rights
Lobby and the Australian Centre for Lesbian and Gay Research.
"Almost
52% of respondents said that they had suffered from homophobic behaviour
or harassment. This shows that anti-discrimination laws aren't good
enough. We need a concerted campaign from governments, the union movement
and employers to stamp out this sort of behaviour," said Kathy Sant,
Co-convenor of the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby.
"The most
common form of harassment was inappropriate jokes, which accounted for
31% of incidents. Other common forms of harassment or discrimination
included unwelcome questions about sexuality, disclosure of sexuality,
questions about HIV status or ridiculing behaviour."
"We welcome
the support of ACTU President, Jenni George, who is launching the report.
Over the next 12 months we'll be working closely with unions and employer
organisations to send out a message that discrimination and harassment
on the basis of sexuality or transgender status is not acceptable."
"Discrimination
is not only unacceptable, it has a negative impact on work performance
and employee morale. It's in the interests of both unions and employers
to ensure that everyone is working to their full capacity and is judged
solely on their merits as a worker".
"Unfortunately,
legislation and government policies, particularly at a Federal level,
give the message that it is okay to discriminate. Federal superannuation
laws still prevent superannuation funds from paying death benefits to
same sex partners. We can't hope to eliminate discrimination unless
all governments are 100% on board," Sant concluded.
900
gay men, lesbians and transgender people from NSW, the ACT and Victoria
participated in the research.
52.8%
of participants had been the subject of harassment or discrimination
in their current or previous employment.
50.3%
of participants had ridiculed in front of colleagues or subject to homophobic
remarks or jokes in the workplace.
28.3%
of participants had been the subject of aggressive, inappropriate or
unwelcome questions about their status.
21.7%
of participants had been ‘outed’ in the workplace against their will.
11.3%
of participants had experienced verbal abuse, including threats of physical
and sexual abuse.
Over
17% of participants felt that their careers had or probably had been
restricted because of their homosexuality.
16%
of participants said that unreasonable work expectations were placed
on them because they were lesbian, gay or transgender.
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ways:
Phone: (02) 9360 6650 - Fax:
(02) 9331 7963 - PO Box 9, Darlinghurst, NSW, 1300 - Email: info@glrl.org.au
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> jason@webitwebsites.com)
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and Lesbian Rights Lobby Inc. (Incorporated in New South Wales)
All rights reserved.
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