Lesbian Relationship Challenges Support Group

Professionally might be nothing at all. However, once I came out personally I went ahead and allowing "my girlfriend" to pop into conversations. I decided I would never hide it unless it would be decidedly unadvantageous.

I find it's easier to just be me when I'm not covering as a straight person. So far I have been extremely lucky and encountered only one instance of homophobia, but that worked itself out.

Frankly I find it harder with the parents of my kids' friends whom I know are religious, or from an ethnic background that is generally biased.

Good luck with whatever decision you choose.

i think it may depend on your profession...and well i find i don't have to "come out" to many people because its simply another facet of who i am as a person....when there is a conversation about relationships i talk about my girlfriend and i....i have made comments about beautiful women walking by in with co workers...i don't think coming out has to be this huge talk....its who you love not an extra limb

I agree with the previous comments. I used to worry about it affecting my career or causing a hostile environment, but everyone has been pretty accepting. I learned that if I make it a deep dark secret, people may react more negatively. If I am comfortable with who i am and it just comes out naturally, they take it in stride. I don't want it to be a big "confession". I just started at a new location at the beginning of May. I had to do it all over again, but the first mention was of a birthday cake I had to pick up for my partner. Nobody seems to bat an eye, which makes my life easy. Now they know.

I'm very fortunate to work for a large company that's pretty liberal thinking. One of the comments made behind closed doors is that it's easier to be gay than Republican there. In fact, when I first started working there our CEO was openly lesbian.

When I first realized my sexual identity was not straight, I was very concerned about who to tell and who not to. I almost felt I should introduce myself to people, "Hi, my name is K and I'm a lesbian." LOL!

I've found it easiest to just be who I am rather than "come out". When I mention my partner and use the word "she" like it's no big deal, people also seem to respond in kind (that is, like it's no big deal). I have a picture of the two of us on my desk.

So far the only problem I've had is years ago with two people who called themselves Christian, but obviously were not. The real Christians I know are loving, caring individuals. :)

Thank you for your feedback. For some reason I failed to mention that my coworkers are born again believers and very loving. I feel the love may be conditional but that could be my paranoia setting in. I hate stepping around the questions about my sweetheart calling her generic terms like"they". I really want to be out with them, we work closely together and they may already know but don't push it out of respect. I'm a big chicken I guess!

I never really "came out" at work, ppl just sort of found out. They weren't really surprised...most had suspected. There are a couple other gay & lesbians where I work & we get along fine. Every1 on my shift knows my gf personally & they Love her. Although, there are others that seem a lil stand-offish, they never give any hassle. Our company really doesn't care what u r as long as u get ur job done. They don't offer benefits to domestic partners or go out of their way to be accepting, but then most companies don't. In the city I live in, & surrounding areas, there are actually alot more gay ppl than others know about...even other gays. It's generally kept secret because we live in TN & it's is perfectly legal here to fire a person just because of their sexual orientation. Alota "good ole' southerners" probably aren't too keen on changing anything too soon either.

I think you should tell only the people who you feel can accept you and your partner. I can always tell if someone is a narrow minded person that would feel "uncomfortable" knowing I was a Lesbian. Unfortunately we live in a society that is not truly accepting of people who live life that is different than they might consider "normal" It's nobody else's biz anyway. Be Well -Aloha

I came out to my co-workers at one of the jobs I had. A lot of them ended up being good friends as well. I found the reaction of some was to back away.

I would rather come out right away. For the lack of a better word, it weeds out any co-workers that might not be accepting of my lifestyle. Most people were accepting.

NO....I completely understand. I used to sit with an elderly couple. They would always ask me about my sweetheart and I really never wanted to broach the subject with them. Now I was out with their children and they were fine with it, but I just did not think this nearly 90 year old couple could get their heads around it. It all worked out in the end, and I am out were I work now. I just think you have to feel your way through it. Follow your guts. They are usually right on the money.

Melissa in Texas