The positive experiences associated with coming out at work
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
ISSN: 2040-7149
Article publication date: 3 September 2021
Issue publication date: 18 March 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Much research has focused on the negative aspects of disclosing sexual orientation and/or gender identity in the workplace but less has explicitly examined the positive aspects. This lack of research is problematic as this can oversimplify the work lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ) people. The current study examines positive intrapersonal, interpersonal and work opportunity experiences associated with coming out in the workplace as LGBTQ.
Design/methodology/approach
The current study surveyed 135 working adults who identified as LGBTQ and used a mixed qualitative and quantitative design to examine the relationship between disclosure and various positive workplace experiences.
Findings
Results suggest that sexual orientation disclosure at work was related to participants perceiving multiple positive interpersonal as well as work opportunity experiences. Furthermore, results suggest gender identity disclosure was similar to, but not the same as, sexual orientation disclosure in terms of perception of positive experiences.
Originality/value
Previous research on disclosure at work has taken a somewhat narrow and typically quantitative approach. The current study provides more nuance to the phenomenon by broadly examining multiple positive experiences associated with disclosure and studying them qualitatively in order to best understand participants' experiences in their own voices.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge and thank the research assistants who helped with coding data for the current study, as well as the participants who graciously volunteered their time for this study.
Citation
Salter, N.P. and Sasso, T. (2022), "The positive experiences associated with coming out at work", Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Vol. 41 No. 2, pp. 224-240. https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-11-2020-0322
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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