More stories!

Be sure to read the new report from the American Civil Liberties Union, Working in the Shadows: Ending Employment Discrimination for LGBT Americans (PDF), which includes many more shocking stories of people who were fired from their jobs for being gay or transgender.

To Serve the Community Proudly, and Openly
Officer Michael P. Carney, Springfield, MA

Michael joined the police department right out of college, fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a cop. When an academy classmate suspected to be gay was assaulted after their graduation party, he quickly learned that he'd have to keep his sexual orientation a secret. But years of hiding it, while daily risking his life to protect his community, took its toll. After falling into drinking and depression, Michael left the police force. He was finally able to get help and the courage to be honest about himself. A couple of years later, he reapplied to the force, this time as an openly gay man. But unlike four other former officers who also sought reinstatement, only Michael was refused. Luckily, Massachusetts law protected him and Michael was able, after a two-and-a-half-year investigation, to get his job back. He continues to serve proudly, and openly, as a decorated police officer.

January 15, 2007

A day away from being fired because I am gay
By K. Serdar

During college, I needed extra income over the summer and found employment at the local summer day camp as the assistant director. After a great summer, the park district asked me to stay on to teach gymnastics and to direct their winter camp programs. Due to the town being rather conservative and people having unfounded fears about gays being around their children, I was careful not to disclose my sexual orientation.

I never lied about my sexuality, but it became difficult to have conversations with my co-workers when discussing personal topics. After awhile, I trusted one co-worker and came out to her. It turned out she had no problem with my sexuality but thought that it was good gossip for the water cooler. When I prepared to give my notice to resign because I had found a better-paying job, my boss told me that it was best that I leave. That was when I found out that I was slated to be fired the next day due to my sexual orientation.

The homophobic fears of parents and the park district administration suddenly were going to cost me my job. I worked for this park district for more than a year and this was my reward for company loyalty and quality performance. If they had fired me due to my sexual orientation, it would have been completely legal in the state where I worked.

May 20, 2003

"This would not be happening if you were not a lesbian"
Kimya Afi Ayodele
Ann Arbor, MI

Kimya has a master's degree in social work and nearly two decades of experience in the field. She was the manager of a unit of a long-term care facility for sufferers of Alzheimer's and dementia. She enjoyed her job, and was good at it.

But in 2003, she was fired – solely because of her sexual orientation. Her supervisors told her "this would not be happening if you were not a lesbian".

Because she lived in Michigan in 2003, there was nothing Kimya could do. It was perfectly legal in her state to fire someone for being GLBT.

Kimya is now a constituency and fund development coordinator for a conference and retreat center which focuses on social justice issues.  She is also an adjunct professor of social work at Wayne State University.

My dependability does not depend on my sexuality
Brooke Waits, Austin, TX

Brooke was excited to start a new position of responsibility, designing and implementing an inventory control system for a cell phone retailer. She went in early every day, determined to do the best possible job. But her workplace was not friendly to an open lesbian. After hearing anti-gay jokes, and being told her walk was "not too feminine," Brooke decided to avoid talking about her life outside the office. Despite those efforts, her own cell phone, and the screensaver photo of Brooke and her girlfriend sharing a New Year's Eve kiss, was her undoing. When Brooke's boss stopped by her desk one day and looked at the phone, she gasped, left the office and avoided Brooke for the rest of the day. The next morning, Brooke was called into her boss's office and fired; her boss claimed they needed someone more "dependable."

June 16, 2006

When co-workers decided I was gay
By Jacqueline Thomas

I am a 42-year-old black, gay woman. I lead an everyday life. I pay my taxes and understand that I am not exempt from the basic rules of life. And I'm very respectful toward other people and their space.

In October 2002, I started a temporary job in the accounting department of a law firm. In the beginning, the atmosphere there seemed workable. But within a week, someone decided I was gay and soon after the offensive comments started.

One day, the uncle of the woman I worked for came into the office and asked me on a date, saying, “If you go out with me, you won’t be gay anymore.” I did not even dignify him with an answer. However, I did smile because then I knew they were curious about me.

A couple of days later, a co-worker asked me if I wanted to have a smoke with her. I said OK. She later said that AIDS existed because of people like me. I ignored her comments, considering the source.

Then during the holidays, a woman asked what I would be doing for the New Year. I said I would be in church. She said, “Well, you need to take a damn man to church with you.”

Shortly after, I called my agency and told them that I was being harassed and discriminated against because my co-workers presumed I was gay. No one had ever asked me. I would have told them yes, not that it’s any of their business anyway. But I got tired of the comments and backbiting, all because of what someone thinks.

My agency followed up with the client and the following day removed me from the assignment. They stated that I had made a racial comment toward someone. I told my agency that that was clearly an untruth, as they would have discovered if they inquired a little further into that situation.

When I originally got the job, it was only for three weeks. My work was outstanding and I was able to extend the assignment into a three-month gig before they asked me to leave so suddenly. I ask myself, what just happened?

Hiding one's sexual orientation takes work. But not coming out can take a terrible toll on a person's self-esteem and personal happiness.

2002 was a very trying year for many people, including myself. I was laid off due to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. My brother passed away, and I had a small stroke. My church and some friends have helped me with my rent for a couple of months until I could get healthy enough for work. Now I am no longer entitled to any benefits and I have to start over. I am looking for other assignments and jobs, but it’s a difficult time to find employment.

I always have to balance the financial consequences of coming out with the psychological consequences of not coming out. Although American workplace tolerance is increasing toward gays and lesbians, we still meet with some outright hostility. But harassment on the basis of sexual orientation has no place in our society.

Today, I am a free gay black woman and enjoy who I have become in the eyes of God and my fellow man.

April 3, 2003