Ellen Tsang

I recently read an article on Reuters about a study examining the inequalities homosexuals face in the workplace. (http://ca.reuters.com/article/idUKN2450662120071024).

What I found which was highly unjust and shocking was that gay men who live together can earn up to 23% less than married men, and 9% less than unmarried heterosexual men who live with a woman. It would have been thought that in this modern society in which we live in, society and organizations would be more open towards homosexuality,

Possible causes as to why gays are victims of labour discrimination and lower wages in certain industries include employers’ prejudice or automatic preferences of heterosexual people over homosexuals causing them not to hire gay men. Other factors include employers’ beliefs that customers may not want to interact with gay men or discrimination associated with AIDs  such as misconceptions about the transmission of HIV and AIDs having a negative effect on the productivity of the worker.

The LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transexual)-related laws bans all anti-gay discrimination in Canada. However, this study evidently shows homosexual discrimination is still present in our community. I don’t believe the LGBT laws are doing a good enough job to stop this unreasonable discrimination. In most states, a homophobic employer can still legally fire an employee on the basis of sexual orientation.

So, what do we need to do to put a stop to all the bigotry that still exists within our society? I guess all we can do is try to better educate the public and future generations and try to gradually change society’s perception on homosexuality.

From: http://www.slapupsidethehead.com/tag/workplace-discrimination/