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