What Is Sexual Orientation Discrimination?
Sexual orientation discrimination is differential treatment or harassment based on someone’s sexual or gender identity, such as being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. A person may also experience discrimination based on other people’s perceptions of their sexual orientation, even if those perceptions are incorrect. In anti-discrimination laws, sexual orientation refers to whom a person is attracted to or in a relationship with, as well as how a person chooses to express their identity through their appearance and lifestyle.
Discriminatory behaviors can come from anyone at your workplace, such as coworkers, customers, supervisors and CEOs. Discrimination based on your sexual orientation can also occur at any point in your relationship with a company, from the application and hiring process to throughout your time as an employee and any potential employment termination.
Discrimination of all forms creates a hostile work environment for you and the people you work with. In particular, discrimination against sexual orientation breeds an unpleasant and potentially unsafe workplace culture that prevents you from freely expressing yourself and succeeding at your job.
Prejudiced mistreatment at work can look like microaggressions, which are offensive, but often commonplace comments and behaviors by people who may not even realize their actions are demeaning. Discrimination can also take more outright forms, including:
Many instances of discrimination build into larger issues with time and repetition, while others are singular, yet no less serious, issues. Some discriminatory actions may even be included in rules and policies at your workplace.
Whether you have experienced discriminatory treatment for a long time or have just recently had a negative encounter, you can pursue legal advice to learn your rights and potentially take action.
