In Is it safe to bring myself to work? Understanding LGBTQ experiences of workplace dignity, Baker and Lucas claim that people who identify as non-heterosexual and non-cis gender will likely face bullying, discrimination, harassment, hurtful jokes and taunts, and ostracism throughout their careers. Through the use of previously conducted studies and statistics, this article examines the homophobic and transphobic attitudes of employers and coworkers. It was found in a 2007 study of a big United States company that 90% of respondents would not hire someone based off of their sexual orientation or consider them as their first choice (Baker and Lucas, 2017, p.8). Additionally, this article conducts a study that creates a platform for members of the LGBTQ community to share personal accounts of oppression they have endured at work. The authors advocate for widespread education regarding the struggles LGBTQ individuals face within the workplace for more inclusive and respectful workplace settings and provides protection strategies for safety and secuirty.
Sounds like an interesting article, but I’d like to know a little more about the authors’ project here. Is this a literature review (looking back on previous scholarship on the issue)? Are they conducting a new study looking at how attitudes have changed over time? You reference a study but don’t tell us much about it. Is this qualitative research (i.e. people sharing their experiences)? Are they making recommendations about how to improve working conditions? We need to know some more of the context in order to appreciate the unique value of this text.