Knocking from inside the glass closet: The world is becoming more accepting of homosexuality -- except at the office

When Ryan goes to work, he doesn't have a picture of Sam on his desk or in his locker. In fact, when colleagues ask the 27-year-old police officer about his weekend, Ryan describes the things he and his "girlfriend" did.

Sam, a 28-year-old graphic designer, isn't nearly so active in his concealment; he simply avoids divulging any aspect of his romantic life to his colleagues.

It's a story one might expect to be decades old, but it's actually an entirely modern tale.

Many young, city-dwelling gay men -- supposedly part of a tolerant, progressive, same-sex-marriage-permitting Canadian society -- are hesitant to divulge their sexual orientation in the workplace, even when they've been out in their personal lives for years.

The men who keep this secret come from a surprisingly wide range of industries -- non-profits, advertising agencies, governmental organizations, and financial institutions. Regardless of occupation, and whether they're influenced by a fear of alienation, concerns about outright discrimination, or reservations about coming out over and over again, they all feel contained by a glass closet.

Ken Mews, executive director of Pink Triangle Services in Ottawa, says that despite the city's reputation as relatively gay-friendly, the protection of sexual identity is pervasive.

 

Knocking from inside the glass closet
Canada.com, Canada