"Corporate America likes to believe it's moved past bias. But it still has a very specific idea of what authority looks like, and it's deeply masculine. This is a complex issue most men contend with -and it's even murkier for gay men. Especially for those who are out at work. For gay men, workplace success has always been contingent on performing the "right" kind of gayness."
"This dynamic is shaped by unstated cultural hierarchies of sexuality. These hierarchies are informal, powerful ideas about which kinds of gayness are seen as "professional," "authoritative," or "leadership-ready," and which aren't. Recent DEI program rollbacks, rising anti-LGBTQ sentiment, and record levels of hostile legislation exacerbate this existing tension. Being openly gay is a complicated minority experience-largely because many people aren't openly out. Experts estimate that 83% of those who identify on the LGBTQ spectrum keep their orientation hidden."
Corporate America projects progress on bias while maintaining a specific, deeply masculine idea of authority. Men must navigate complex expectations of leadership masculinity, and gay men face additional ambiguity, especially when out at work. Workplace success for gay men often depends on performing a palatable style of gayness that blends into existing leadership norms: clean-cut, composed, confident without expressiveness, and avoiding appearing "too gay" in speech, dress, or leadership. Unstated cultural hierarchies of sexuality mark certain presentations as professional, authoritative, or leadership-ready while marginalizing others. Recent DEI rollbacks, growing anti-LGBTQ sentiment, and hostile legislation intensify these pressures, and many LGBTQ people remain not openly out.
Read at Fast Company
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