It may just be a result of hearing politicians say mean things about me on the evening news every night, but I have been feeling a lot more self-conscious lately. I have been out at work and with my family for years. But recently I’ve felt like relationships with a few of my friends and co-workers have become strained. What do you suggest I do?
I am a teacher at an elementary school in Connecticut where I feel well-established and respected. My partner and I want to start a family in the near future and I plan to carry the baby. I need some advice on how to best approach this topic with my students, parents and staff, especially my principal. Are there any legal issues I should be aware of that involve a pregnancy under my circumstances being seen as immoral by the school district?
I am reasonably open at work. All of my staff know and enjoy the company of my companion of six years and people I work with know my life circumstances. Because of my openness and success at the company, the human resources director has asked me to prepare a proposal for domestic partner benefits. I was wondering if there is any information available on the financial impact on companies offering such benefits, and the benefits that the company can derive.
My partner and I are seriously considering moving from Chicago, Ill., to Tulsa, Okla. I am from Tulsa and after college left for Chicago. I would love to move back and be near my family, but can you tell me anything about workplace protections in Tulsa or Oklahoma City?
I’ve contacted my human resources department, which sent me to the legal department, trying to begin a discussion about starting a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender networking group in my company. Basically, they shot me down, saying the company’s resources cannot be used for this purpose. Would you have a canned letter, or can you point me to a webpage that would have arguments FOR creating this kind of group at work?