Fired for Being Gay: Another One Bites the Dust
October 10, 2008 by James Hipps
As I was browsing through various blogs the other day, I came across one with a post of how someone had been fired for being gay. Unfortunately this happens all too often. Having had a similar experience myself, I always find myself interested in the circumstances behind the situation. Here are the basics from this story.
I was let go from my job. I was told that I was not a good fit for the company and escorted from the building within 10 minutes of that. I feel in a way that I was setup to fail by certain members of management, and that I wasn’t wanted at the company for quite awhile. All of this because I am gay.
Unfortunately, most states provide “at will” employment. Which means you can be let go, at any time, for any reason. Also unfortunately, there are few states with regulations against firing someone for there sexual orientation. There are still 33 states, where you can be fired for being gay.
I felt like I had been trapped. I had been set up to make a false step that would be used against me…the fact that I was openly gay and wanted to open a new market to the company that was considered “wrong”. I had outed myself…
Yes, there are those people out there who hate the GLBT community. I always wondered…is it because they’re not getting laid?
Was I dreaming? Was this REALLY happening to me? Everyone was so confused and couldn’t see why it was happening.
Reality bites. Yes, it happened. It’s not confusing for former employer, you were fired for being gay. Fortunately, there is a strange force in this world. If you stay positive, you will come to realize, you simply weren’t where you were suppose to be any longer. Always remember, no matter how things seem at the time, in the long run, it happens for the best. If this didn’t happen to you now, perhaps 10, or even 20 years from now, you won’t be in the right place. Sometimes we just have to step back from the situation to see the big picture. There are gay friendly employers. You can find yourself in a welcoming situation if you want it. You just have to want it, find it, and make it happen. No one will do it for you. As sad as it may be, someone can take a job from you for being gay, but unless you let them, they can never take your pride and dignity!
You can read the rest of this story at kaderade.wordpress.com.



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