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I know there are quite a few professionals on this site and was wondering if anyone would be willing to share their experience in their profession. Also, has your sexuality been an issue at all with regard to your chosen profession? Are you able to be honest about who you are at work?

Honest about myself at work? No. I write for fashion magazines from home while sitting in my underpants. If they only knew.

Real Estate Marketing Manager, I think its kind of a given that you have a little flair to work in the industry. Sometimes outside clients aren't as a comfortable, but they warm up quickly...

so its really a non-issue at this point.

I was an architect. I was also a Stock Broker. My personal life had nothing to do with my work. So it never had a effect on it..

I'm a GIS guru for the Environmental Section of the Ohio Department of Transportation.....
When I interviewed, 8 years ago, for my current job at ODOT, I made sure they knew I was gay and that if it was a problem for them I would move along, because I would not "hide" and I would not "change"....I was this "in your face" because I had been fired from a job 6 months earlier for being gay. They were an engineering firm in Dayton, OH....Their name starts with a "W"....

As a freelance Television Cameraman/DP, I have had many and varied experiences over the years with bigoted, prejudiced clients and colleagues AND some really wonderful people who accept my sexuality simple as part of who I am.
Yes I have lost a few jobs when the decision makers found out I am Gay but all in all I would say it has been an OK experience.
Some of the celebrities I have worked with that are gay have helped to make it better for all of us.

AJC_TB saidI know there are quite a few professionals on this site and was wondering if anyone would be willing to share their experience in their profession. Also, has your sexuality been an issue at all with regard to your chosen profession? Are you able to be honest about who you are at work?

I am a line producer/independent producer in film and television. I'm also a full time student. Me being gay never had a bearing on why I chose this profession, I wanted to get into this field. I am honest about my sexuality work if asked.

Im a ranger, I chose worrior as my second profestion but it sucks...Oh wait real life...k...I do nothing.

I'm an editor of publications and being out has never been a problem for me.
My supervisor and co-workers know, even the head of our agency. And they've all met my partner and love him to death!
Of course, I work in San Francisco where gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders are common in the workplace. It's the way life should be everywhere!

I'm a sound engineer for recording studios in la and sometimes do post production for film and television.

I am also working for a talent agency for actors in beverly hills. I'm not out at work as sexuality is not much of a topic at work. Everyone is always running around like mad and everything we talk about is about what's going on at that instant.

I don't think my being gay will effect my job though. I know one of my managers is gay though.

Pastry Chef here,
My being gay really doesn't affect me at work mainly because my boss (the owner) trained under a gay pastry chef for several years before opening the shop where I work.

I am a senior account executive at a global PR firm. I work, primarily in the enterprise software group and with consumer technology. My sexuality has always been a part of the package. In my down time I try to find work as a house DJ.

Jet setting assassin.

I artificially inseminate marine mammals for a living. Dolphins are pretty gay anyway, what with their near-hairless bodies and cliquish behavior, so the only discrimination I've experienced is due to my non-Cetacean upbringing.

I'm the accounting manager for my family's construction company. Its never been an issue with my personal life. Though you'd be amazed how often "I work in accounting for a construction company" becomes "I'm a construction worker" when said over thumping house music.

Its not really a problem though... I take 26mileman's approach. If they stop talking b/c they think I'm a construction worker, they probably aren't worth the time anyway.

Landscape design.....create gardens in Manhattan on penthouse terraces, roof gardens courtyards etc. It's busy season and at the end of the day, me and my guys smell very funky and a shower is in order.

Otherwise, as freinds have told me, what I do best is drive men crazy.

I do TV programming/satellite cordinating for a local affiliate here and I'm out to most.

I manage the billing department for the water company of the Florida Keys. I work around women all day so it's never been an issue. I take Brian Kenny's stance on being out at work, "If I'm not fucking you, it's not an issue."

I monitor RJ forum activity.

I post LOLcats for a living.

... and give Shawn something to monitor.

So where's your LOLCat for this thread Caslon? Do you have a favorite one?

I'm a Personal Support Worker, at the place I work at i'm a Care Manager. I work on the dementia/Alzheimer's floor.

I'm also going to school to get my nursing come the winter. I had no idea what I wanted to do growing up. I've finally found something I really enjoy doing.

I'm out at work. I've had no problems at all. One lady suggested I should date a girl when i complained about this guy i was seeing but I told her how it was and its been good times. I don't flaunt anything it's just known by many staff i've had boyfriends. and that pretty much gives you a clear picture as to my sexual orientation.

I work for international marketing division of a publishing company. My sexuality has never been an issue at any job that I've had.

caslon saidI post LOLcats for a living.

... and give Shawn something to monitor.

God I soo want to say something so bad... maybe its best to say nothing, except have a great day

I manage special grant projects for a large non-profit and have worked in the field for many years. My sexuality hasn't been an issue for the most part, except for when I was the director of a non-profit. Those were the most stressful six years of my life and I started having anxiety attacks the last couple of years. I have been very open about my sexuality since I was in college and I felt like I was being pushed back into the closet.

I love my current job (five years now). One boss is gay and the other was married to a gay man. The organization is very supportive and my insurance would cover a partner if I lived with one. My co-workers have also been supportive on a personal level, especially when I went through a difficult breakup. A couple have acted like they were my mom when I started dating my boyfriend - they wanted to know everything about him and make sure he was treating me well. It's great having that kind of support after my previous job.

I run one of the many labs at a start up engineering company full time and I bartend for TGI Friday's part time. I'm able to be myself at my engineering job, it's very relaxed and laid back environment here. Also, there are a few other gay men here that are also open to their sexuality. But on the other hand, bartending at TGI Friday's I'm not that open about my sexuality, mainly due to the area of where i work at, it's a bit ghetto so I feel it wouldn't be a good place for me to exploit my sexuality. I'm not feminine or anything like that, I'm a very masculine guy. One would never know unless asked. So until someone asks, I'm fine to be assumed to be straight.

I'm an interior designer and specialize in corporate offices and tenant improvements. My sexuality usually doesn't come into play during business - but I have had some issues with the typical negative "gay decorator" sterotypes. I don't look or act like the stereotype and would never say "fabulous". Several clients have asked me if I have a "flair" for color and what would I suggest to "decorate" thier home (both pet peevees). I usually respond with "I have a degree in architecture and specialize in office space planning - but would be more than happy to recommend a residential decorator." This usually gets the point across....

I work in the engineering and design division of a large corporation. Although there are people here who aren't, I'm completely out at work. I invited a bunch of people from my department to my wedding.

None of them came to the divorce though.

I'm definately OK being myself at work, in all senses.
I work as an Advocate for the Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project ( www.gmdvp.org ) out of Boston.
I work with victims of Domestic Violence, primarily from the GBT community.
I really enjoy my job and have found it to be quite rewarding over the years.

I work in two areas - the first is venture capital, as a managing partner - investing in early stage (seed) and information technology companies. The second is in real estate, investing in and selling residential and commercial properties.

My personal life has little to do with my work, so I am out only to those I know and like. With some of my clients though, I could be gone in the morning for any reason, or for no reason.

It kind of sucks not being able to do and say anything I please, but I like to eat and I really don't care enough about some of the people I have to work with to bare my soul to them anyway.

You could ask what I do for a living...

but I can't tell... LOL!

Jeff

whitenoise saidYou could ask what I do for a living...

but I can't tell... LOL!

Jeff

Hell. Shouldn't we also NOT ask?

For me, I'm fresh from college. Unemployed. Waiting to be shipped off abroad by my parents to my sis in Europe. hehe

I'm a 3d artist (modeling and texturing). Also do a fair bit of traditional art. The rest of my... erm... VERY eclectic interests I classify as hobbies.

EDIT: My teammates in our game dev team all know I'm gay. It's online. Being gay has never been a problem. We have 2 other gay members - both coders, and a bisexual who's a musician.

i'm a brand new landscape architect, currently working for a landscape architect. he's gay. i'm gay. but not gay together. that would be too gay. my previous career was as a marketing/advertising director. that company was headquartered in georgia... while there was no blatant discrimination, the very southern, middle-aged, white males in senior management, were uncomfortably politically correct around me.

You must have fabulous lawns! With gnomes and unicorns. Isn't that how a gay guy landscapes, I know I do.

n8dagrt saidYou must have fabulous lawns! With gnomes and unicorns. Isn't that how a gay guy landscapes, I know I do.

you forgot the requisite wood wheelbarrow spilling with fabulous annuals as well as the cherub in repose in the birdbath.

I retired early and was in Turism and worked at London Heathrow Airport for 25 years...


Now bliss by the sea....

Ph.D. in Engineering - research & development - and I did let it affect my career even though I was at the executive level. I was once asked (in an actual interview) if I was a queer. I am pretty straight acting - so I think he felt comfortable asking it as a joke. First day on the job (different company) I was asked "Your not gay, are ya?"

Not any more - started my own online group of companies years ago. This is much more fun!

I'm a strictly kosher bikini waxer.

My sexuality has never been an issue because I wax through a hole in a sheet.

Commercial (and later residential) property management.

It's never been a huge issue in the residential sector, but when I worked for a commercial REIT there was a divide right down the middle--the women didn't care, the men were wildly homophobic, but for a select few that were low on the corporate ladder.

Government finance, and no my sexuality or my private life has not been an issue.

I manage a study abroad program that takes college kids over to Japan for eight months of language training and cultural studies. My office has been based in two different locations during my time here, both extremely liberal college campuses (Smith College in Northampton, MA and Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH), where sexuality is more of a "non-issue" than any other place I have been. In fact, it seems that it's more unusual to be straight around these campuses! Has it been an issue for any of the people I work with? So far no... in fact, the Board of Directors have met my partner at many occasions, and they really like him a lot.

Mental Health Therapist- My sexuality is not discussed with clients and I chose not to discuss at work. Not a barrier in the theraputic process - IT'S LIFE. I have helped a lot of gay men accept their sexuality and live life as a HUMAN BEING and to be PROUD of who they are

I'm a 3rd shift radiology tech so I work in the ER mostly. A friend of mine referred me for an interview with the openly gay head of the department years ago when I started. Everyone was pretty sure my friend was gay and most people just assumed I was his boyfriend...ha. So, I was "outed" at work from the moment I started. Luckily it's never been a problem even though I know some of them have personal/religious issues with it. I work with some great people that can see me as a good person and hard worker not just "the gay guy".

I know you can keep your professional and private life separate but I can't imagine going back in the closet. I've had so many co-workers come to me asking about different aspects of being gay. It's a great opportunity to break down stereotypes (yes, there are still plenty of them) and it's nice not having to evade personal questions or pretend like I have no life outside of work.

Picked up a camera about 20 years ago and got hooked. Been doing it ever since. No idea how it happened...never had an interest when I was younger, and Dad used to drive us NUTS with the family picture thing.
Funny thing about working with models, seems to be a don't ask/don't tell atmosphere. It the subject comes up, I really don't care who knows...it's a part of who I am.
http://www.modelbrigade.com/100848

Lied to get my first DJ job at a Detroit leather bar 15 years back, had to learn a lot of stuff fast, but I loved it.
Worked in a straight bar for the last 10 1/2 years, liked it a lot better. No offense, but the people were nicer and it paid better. Out to a few people, and I think the rest of the bar knew anyways. Everyone seemed cool with it.

Private hedge funds. I thought being gay would be an obstacle, but surprisingly the guys were more than accommodating. I think so long as the you perform, and you have a great bottom line at the end of the day, they could care less if you're black, white, gay, straight, etc.

Ironically, it's liberating in a way despite the profession's conformist reputation.

Efficiency Manager for a technical training institute - basically I go into poor performing teams and do a complete over haul.

I'm fairly hated for the job cuts already, and had one team manager start a smear campaign against me when she didn't like what I was doing to her unit. No damage to me. She got fired.

It's a male dominated place - lots of trade teachers and students - but there has been no issues with my sexuality.

I'm a web designer, the unfortunate assumption is that we artists and designers might be gay anyway. No one seems to care as long as the work gets done on time. I keep my private and professional lives seperate but equal.

I am a Master Electirican and people do not screw with me about my sexual preference either out of respect, fear or both.

I'm in broadcasting, on-air presenter for a radio station.
Everyone knows about my personal life.
There are so many gays working with me so it never was an issue

I'm an EMT-Basic; soon to be EMT-Intermediate (when I go test) and hopefully by the end of the year; a paramedic (If i can pass the national registry on the first try.)



after that; I'll go wherever the wind takes me to get into a kickass FD. Austin, San Antonio, Orange County Florida; wherever.


as for my sexuality at work?
it depends on the people I'm with.
people in my paramedic class know; but at work you've got a lot of bass ackwards people.

I am Group Exercise Instructor for a gym. I teach Step, Spin, Hi/lo Dance, Sports Conditioning, and Muscle classes. I have been doing it for over 13 years. Not all male group ex instructors are gay....but most are. It's fun going to conventions and seminars cause most of the men there are gay.

I don't necessarily out myself at work. If someone asks, I tell them. My bf has been there working out while I am teaching and I introduce him as..."This is Raif." Nothing more needed.

I am a Financial Planner. I own and run an investment firm. Mostly focus on employer sponsored retirement plans, but as I have a legal background, I also focus on the funding of trusts. I do IRAs, mutual funds, stocks and bonds. I really enjoy my job, although it definitely is cyclical.

Web Designer at a small design firm. One of three employees, two of which are gay.

Work at a local college as Assistant Director of Career Development. Help students and alumni figure out what they want to do in life, and how to make it happen. I also consult on the side.

It's very fulfilling, and it's no problem being gay in academia.

I work as a secretary for a government firm's Career Development & Succession Planning unit where the pay is embarassing (as it is based on my passport, not my credentials) so on weekends I find myself either cleaning friends' flats, entertaining crowds and serving drinks in private parties.
I charge extra if I wear my French maid uniform (for the former) and if they want me in my rollerskates (for the latter).
Fair 'nough.
I behave the same way. It's just the clothes* (or lack of it) that make me look different.
*refer to profile pics.

I'm a pro photographer and half my photo editors are gay/lesbian, so my sexuality is no big deal.

And since I'm in a creative business it's not unexpected ... sometimes a client is surprised that I'm gay, 'cause they think I come off as being straight...

i teach piano and guitar for a living to adult beginners and kids...being gay has never been an issue...although, I am in the Bay Area...so, that probably helps.

I work as a registered nurse at a big hospital here in boston. Thoracic surgery is my game... it's pretty cool since we get patients from all over the country and the world.

being gay isn't a huge issue, but I think people are kinda surprised when they find out. My patients don't ask, or maybe they assume. doesn't matter. The little old ladies just like "young male nurses with tight butts"... I wish i was kidding, but one of my patients actually said that to me

Meteorologist responsable for alerting the US aid agencies (and anyone else who will listen) when famine, large scale flooding or disease outbreaks (as they relate to weather) are about to occur in the developing, or undeveloped world.

Edit: Partially out at work. Because of the nature of the countries I work with I keep quiet on my own. No benefits, but a federal contractor (I don't work directly for the feds, but I am on site) won't give benefits until it is a mid sized company. To bad I work on a small businesses only contract.

I am a recruiter for a large, multinational HRO company and my current client is for the oil and gas industry focusing mainly on alternative energy. I am out at work and fortunate that I work for a company that celebrates diversity including Gay Pride month in June and also offers domestic partnership benefits.

I'm a yoga teacher and a massage therapist. No issue with my sexuality in either profession. But in fact, I've actually come to believe that being gay has made me more intuitive and more sensitive to the needs of others, both of which only serves to make me better at what I do for a living.

I own a sales/marketing consulting and training company with a couple of offices. Get to travel a bit around the world. Love what I do and the clients I get to work with. Get to help take folks to the next level - average client increases sales 56% so it's rewarding to see the transformation. No issues being gay...helps to own the company and have a business partner who's a lesbian!

I am a research scientist and run a laboratory for a major pharmaceutical company. I am involved with getting new therapies into development and my sexuality has never been an issue. I was the leader of our site's GLBT "Rainbow Alliance" Network for 5 years and was happy to work on a team that helped advance Domestic Partner Benefits within the comapny (of course they wanted to go there somehow, so it wasn't really much of a battle). I am not as involved with the group these days as I was, since we are under pressure for new product delivery and viability, but I do support our group and represent the company at local GLBT events.

Believe it or not, I found my sexuality to be more of an issue at the more conservative University I taught at before this. Granted if I had brought in tons of $$ they wouldn't have had an issue, but I felt they were struggling with those issues at that point in time. Doors open when others close so I did not get as upset as I might have. I met my husband there so what was the down side?

Oh yeah, I teach fitness on the side and have never had any issues in the fitness world. Though I frequently am the only male at a yoga or cycling workshop and the women all assume (correctly) that I am gay. I have seen more men in cycling workshops though...and not all gay.

hobronto saidI artificially inseminate marine mammals for a living. Dolphins are pretty gay anyway, what with their near-hairless bodies and cliquish behavior, so the only discrimination I've experienced is due to my non-Cetacean upbringing.

LOL... love this one. Very well written.

I'm a multimedia editor... Web-content management, book editing/production, DVD production coordination, catalog coordination, online-video shooting/editing, ad-copy composition, press releases, etc.

I've worked in the publishing industry for about 10 years now, and my sexuality has never been an issue. Of course, I work in Los Angeles, so that helps. ;)

In the 2000s, I've been involved in the martial arts niche of the publishing world... and although we deal with a lot of the UFC fighters and some hard-core military guys, etc., there's a sense of professionalism from both my side of the street and theirs that allows us all to get things done.

So perhaps it's never been an issue because I've never made it one. My co-workers and creative associates are all "in the know," LOL, but when we have people come in for articles, photo shoots, etc., sexuality is not a topic of discussion anyway. So whether the personalities know or not, I don't really know and don't really care. I've got a job to do (several, actually, LOL) and I get it done.

Sometimes I'll suspect that so-and-so might be gay or at least not the typical straight guy... but I'll keep my mouth shut during our proceedings because it's just not professional. I don't openly flirt or anything along those lines. I might catch myself gawking a little bit from time to time, LOL... but hey, I'm only human.

Nobody's ever come in and said anything that was over-the-top offensive or homophobic or anything. The industry is small compared to the general "entertainment" industry at large... so if they got a rep for that kind of thing, it might not look good for them---even if in some circles there is sort of a "good ol' boys" club mentality. So in my environment you just gotta use your best judgment and proceed forward professionally. That's what I've done and I get along great with all the artists whom I've had the pleasure to work with.

*** Also, has your sexuality been an issue at all with regard to your chosen profession?

My sexuality did not influence my decision to go into my field, although I do find it ironic in my own personal life to have been so involved with sports media when up until a few years ago you couldn't get me near a gym or any kind of athletic endeavor. So, in actuality, it would seem that my "field," over time, has influenced my approach to how I take care of my body, which in turn has a widespread effect on my sense of self, sexuality, my presence in my own skin, etc.

I'm an opera singer. And I can tell you that the music business is pretty gay-friendly as most could guess. There have been times when performing something religious based that I have felt I shouldn't talk about being gay. But outside that it is a very comfortable environment to be out in. I would say 50% of my collegues are also gay which is very helpful. And I have surrounded myself with this community since high school. Yet it still took me a long time to feel comfortable with my homosexuality. Since I came out, I have seen being a gay opera singer to be rewarding in some ways and a disadvantage in others. Rewarding in the fact that if you are good-looking AND you can sing well, auditions tend to go your way. People want to cast attractive talented people that they feel comfortable with, who are open and interesting. A disadvantage is how much you have to put up with being hit on and propositioned by older gay men of authority, like conductors, managers, coaches, directors. There is a big casting couch in this industry too, and I am proud to say I have not layed on it

I'm from the Government and I'm here to help.

Yes, being gay is a major factor.

I'm a medical resident in a surgical specialty. I would say, despite a lot of people's great attitudes and experience with being gay in medicine, that medicine (along with sport) is one of the last bastions where homophobia is still quietly accepted. I'm not totally out at work, and "career safety" is definitely a concern. As a resident, you're not in control, you have very few "hard" rights that can be readily enforced. If a staff-person is homophobic and decides they're just going to put up with you, you could lose out on good cases, on teaching and other opportunities. So, it's always a tense decision whether to discuss being bi or not (and coming out as bi, is just weird--most people don't have the headspace for it). I'm single, so the assumption is that I'm straight. Some of the other residents know, but unless the topic comes up, and with me as the focus of the topic, I just let the sleeping dog lie--until I get a better idea of people's attitudes, at least.

Crimthann saidI'm from the Government and I'm here to help.

.

nine scariest words in the english language

I'm an assistant director in an Office of International Services. I oversee the analysis of foreign academic credentials for a large university and functionally manage the undergraduate admissions office for international students.

My orientation hasn't come up yet, but I do think it would be an issue with some of my overtly religious co-workers. I am vague at best, obvious to anyone paying attention I'd imagine but I throw out red herrings now and then b/c it makes me feel more safe. That's getting old fast though, I'll say that much.

I recruit insurance executives and advise on mergers and acquisitions for insurance brokerages. I do not discuss my private life at all. This is one of the most conservative industries imaginable.

jprichva saidI recruit insurance executives and advise on mergers and acquisitions for insurance brokerages. I do not discuss my private life at all. This is one of the most conservative industries imaginable.

Oh, whatever, JP. You probably woo clients over left and right simply with that rich, mellifluous voice.

I'm the recruitment coordinator for a federal grant training program. 'Cept when I try to have sex in the office, nothing about my sexuality is an issue at work.

i'm a web developer and graphic designer. up to this point it really hasn't been a problem being out at work. i don't flaunt it, but i also don't hide it.

Dont Ask Dont Tell right.

eranoosh saidI'm in broadcasting, on-air presenter for a radio station.
Everyone knows about my personal life.
There are so many gays working with me so it never was an issue

I agree eranoosh. I am also an on air presenter (Assistant News Director) for three stations. I have never had my sexuality become an issue -- in fact it adds a real dynamic in the newsroom. And all the girls have someone to talk to.

Bill

I'm a race car driver. I work at the Ricky Rudd school of NASCAR driving. Anyone can learn to race with our patented technique of teaching.

I have no problems being honest about my sexuality.

I work as a Senior Tech and in the Quality/Compliance sector For a Bio-pharmaceutical firm. I deal with people and blood all day, Some of our donors have found out from other employees that I am gay. (Before they were told they had no idea.) I'm out, but my life isn't about being gay, it's just a small part of who I am. I usually don't discuss my personal life at work, because it's no one else's damn business. After some of the donor's found out they wouldn't let me stick them because they said they "Didn't want AIDS!" I live in Oklahoma where the breeder's automatically assume that if you're gay; you have HIV, or will give it to them.
I just flat out told the specific person; "Look my personal life is none of your damn business, I don't have HIV, and if you come in here with this attitude toward me again, I'll make sure you don't come back at all." I'm currently hating my job d/t burn out and can't wait to finish school am working on double major in nursing and clinical laboratory sciences. But I still haven't decided if that's the route I'll go for the rest of my life. It's Just something to do along the way. Other than this incident my sexuality has never been an issue. Like I said it's no ones damn business what I do when I'm not working.

Student/Lifeguard. I don't say my sexuality is a major issue because at school, I'm not out other than to close friends. While in class I don't see the need to have to introduce myself as gay to everyone I meet. Plus I go to school in Montana so another reason not to tell everyone I meet haha. Currently I'm a lifeguard in Orlando and there are other openly gay guards and there hasn't been any problems at all. Now here I guess I'm out again I don't go up and tell people but if they ask me I say I am.

I work for a large consulting company, serving clients in the property and casualty insurance industry.

Unlike our competitors, there are no diverse employee groups. So I would question whether or not being gay is safe at my employer (which is why I'm looking). They claim to have a no retaliation policy, but it is too easy for upper management to retaliate and not make it appear as retaliation. Therefore, I am not out at work and would never consider it.

haha, diddo to the above post...im also a student/lifeguard. I wasnt going to post anything to this forum cuz im still a student..but ya, i couldnt resist after seein the above post. Im a student in a large city where most are educated or simply more err..mature? so my sexuality wouldnt be an issue at all i guess, at least amongst my friends its not, they actually think its cool to finally know a gay person, lol. In terms of lifeguarding, i work at a private community's members only beach that caters to uptight conservative families from philadelphia/new york/boston/baltimore/connecticut....so ya, i dont really let my sexuality be known, not that it should matter, and not like i let it show anytime, u shouldnt have to... but ya, i love my job!

jprichva saidI recruit insurance executives and advise on mergers and acquisitions for insurance brokerages. I do not discuss my private life at all. This is one of the most conservative industries imaginable.

Financial / insurance industry is conservative, but I've been pleasantly surprised at how accepting people have been.

I guess I am primarily a writer and editor: 17 years in newspapers, writing for magazines since 1984, four books, lots of brochures. Was a PR writer for a college. But I have also been a college lecturer, teaching science writing and magazine journalism, so I pursue all of the above work.

Oops, forgot the second part. Writing and the arts are fine with anything, in general, and working at a university means more acceptance. But most of my friends are low-key, especially if they work with students, who are more tolerant than my generation is but still get antsy. I don't talk about it, since there is no reason to.

I am a consultant at a large financial media and data organization working to launch our service to a broader base - particularly to the legal community (including compliance officers and general counsels at major corporations.

I would not have it any other way . In a few years, I would probably like to open my own executive recruiting firm or finally go into investment banking.

Unfortunately, I think that it depends quite a bit on your profession and the organization you work for. I am out at work, although I don't make an issue of it. If people are talking about family stuff - like what you did for the weekend - I'll comment about what "we" did in reference to my partner and I. I am a Marketing Director in a health care organization that provides domestic partner benefits, so I can be more open.

It bothers me that my partner cannot do the same, but his work environment is very different from mine.

Economist - which doesn't really say much. So more precisely: Serial entrepreneur in tech and finance, and frequent consultant to early stage companies, public policymakers, government agencies and non-profits.

I've never made a conscious effort to be out or closeted. Most of my work is in environments that are so competitive and intense that nothing matters except your bottom-line performance. Others are so liberal-hip that the people seem like they want more people to be gay or some kind of minority because it's sooo PC-cool.

I see this thread is still going - and I already answered it May 22nd. But here is another slant....somewhere you might know this guy!

I'm a slacker. That's right - I'm a trust fund baby, or you might say a remittance man - dividend boy. I live on the boat - or in my parents' guest house. I'm supposed to help out around the house by helping the pool boy, or the gardener do work - but I usually just bum cigarettes off 'em. I'm usually up by noon or one, and then after catching some sun, I'm usually showered up and ready to party by 5 or so. My cars are paid for by my dad, and I'm a pretty laid back guy. My accounts at all the best stores and pubs are in my dad's name. I'm pretty much cashing in. I've promised my parents I'll look for a job or go back to school, and I'm gonna focus on that.......tomorrow!

I'm a trainer, i think alot of us are expected to be gay, so i just go with it!!

I'm a part time Personal Trainer - No problems with my sexuality at all. I've trained all kinds of people and the moment they have time to focus on my sexuality, it signals to me that they are not focussing on their training. I always say, if they've got time to focus on me, then they are not focussing on themselves. I keep my PT work strictly professional. I've had guys come to train with me for other motives, they soon learnt that they would have to do exercise and not the other stuff they had it mind.

I work full time in I.T. - Most people in the office know, but people are less accepting in this role, especially behind my back. I don't give a fuck what people think at all.

I'm a high school history teacher.

I'm a Food and Beverage Manager in a large hotel. My sexuality has never been an issue - there are heaps of gay people in the industry. It's our flair and eye for detail and design

I'm business and software analyst, currently working on how to improve and speed up the work of the government (no kidding) . So if you think your job is tough, think about me moving a mountain, and yours will suddenly look a lot easier
Used to direct a non profit org. for several years too.
I'm not out at work, but I don't feel I need to be. Maybe if the topic will arise some day. I just don't make it a big deal. But sometimes it's though working on a project when I have some sexy co-workers roaming around

I'm a Nutritionist and Freelance Artist, I don't think i've had any problems whatsoever for either of the things I do.

I like to think of myself as a muse...

I'm a field service rep for a real property data corp, Title companies are my customers in the NW region. I'm very much out at work, but not so much with customers, have to keep up that corp image.

Ok so no one has said this profession and I know
there's gotta be some out there.

I'm a cop and know some other gay cops.

All of us are out at the places we work and none have had any issues with being who we are.

Maybe we've had no issues because we too carry
guns

I work for a medical software company. I like it, I deal with implementations - so I do a lot of the training/consulting for the hospitals that are assigned to me.

As far as my sexuality, I'm out to my co workers but that's about it. I don't talk about it with my customers ever. It just isn't applicable to anything we discuss.

I work for a company that specializes in embedded software. My official title is "Tester" and I MAINLY program and test motherboards.

My coworkers know I'm gay and so far no friction.

I am a music promoter. I produce rock, hip hop, reggae, electronic, metal and jamband concerts. If being a 'mo makes my job difficult or easier, I can't tell. Basically if you are an asshole being homophobic, chauvanistic or racist at my shows I'll throw you out.

If you are a musician and exhibit these qualities you don't get booked.

I also dj. If I was straight I'd get laid a lot, but since I don't play diva house and pop music I don't.


I also work at a plant nursery part time, everyone knows I'm a homo because we all talk about hot people that come in. It's only fair that if the dudes talk about hot girls I can talk about hot guys.

I am also getting trained to teach pilates reformer and going to school to get my R.D. (Registered Dietician).

I want to be certified to be a personal trainer too.

I am a Petroleum Engineer, and run a very very small independent oil and gas business out of Boston! Unfortunately, I work in possibly THE most homophobic industries on the planet, and it is a issue with many people. I am totally out at work (since I am the boss), so there is no problem. However, on the job sites (in Texas), managing men and equipment, I keep my orientation private. The contractors who work for me should get the job done, and my sexuality has nothing to do with the problem at hand, or getting oil and gas out of the ground.