Workers of F.I.B #6: LGBT Members & Pride Month
June has always been the month of pride for the LGBT community around the world. In FIB, some fellow workers are part of it. Let's get to know how they celebrated it and more of what our agency can do about the issue!
How did you celebrate pride month? If you did, tell us how!
GoatTinkBoi: I couldn't really celebrate pride month besides sharing memes and supporting people who are LGBT. My state, South Carolina, is dumb and doesn't celebrate pride month in June. So, all pride activities are in October.
HallelujUGH: Talked to my gay friends and know LGBT ppl more in my place
Sarah-: My friends and I celebrated pride month by going to the country's capital and helping paint a large round-a-bout in rainbow colors. We, along with thousands of others participated in the event!
YiRui: I didn’t celebrate pride month, although I did see various members celebrating it, and I was truly intrigued by how they celebrated it; everyone was in harmony and I thought pride month to be an impressive event.
Have you been harassed, outside the FIB, for being LGBT?
GoatTwinkBoi: I have been openly discriminated against. I have been made fun of online, in public and in private. It's sad that people still harass people who are LGBT in 2018.
HallelujUGH: I guess yeah I mean, I do get those staring eyes at me. Like I'm some kind of a destruction for them.
Sarah-: No, I have not.
YiRui: I haven’t been harassed before all these years. Mainly due to the reason that I don’t spread my sexuality other people I may not know and I doubt people to be harassing others over being LGBT. Its 2018
Have you been openly discriminated against at the FIB?
GoatTwinkBoi: Yes. Mostly by trolls but I have been discriminated against by fellow co-workers. A lot of them are fired now but some still work here.
HallelujUGH: Nope, not yet, I guess? There's a lot of new people joining fib and some of them don't know me at all. The FIB I joined back then was going to treat you like you are part of the family whether you were LGBT or not. So I just hope this FIB right now is just like the old one but more better. Uhh, this FIB doesn't really ask if you’re LGBT or something unless you tell them Hahahaha.
Sarah-: No, I have not.
YiRui: Not at all. FIB members are trained to be polite members of the society, discriminating others for their sexuality would be highly offensive and they may not be well liked by others should they do such an insolent act.
What can the FIB do better in regards to protecting its LGBT workers?
GoatTwinkBoi: Not shrug off obvious homophobia or discrimination as a joke. Also give better consequences. Giving someone a warning about our rights. Bullying or discrimination isn't going to make anyone feel safe to work or hangout at the FIB.
HallelujUGH: Practice more humanity. Care for each other. Be with each other’s back. And lastly, don't push those closet LGBT to go out hastily cause maybe they are not feeling safe yet. #NoToDiscrimination
Sarah-: Perhaps create some new rules integrating the LGBTQI community into FIB and make them feel more accepted by hosting some events that showcase the said community and what we bring to the world!
YiRui: As of now, I have nothing to implement as I believe there isn’t any worker being discriminated for being LGBT, but should we have such an incident, I believe FIB should stand up for the victim and give stern punishments to make sure such an act is not repeated.
Are you open about your sexuality?
GoatTwinkBoi: Yes, I am. In irl, whenever anyone asks, I'm open about. On boon, I used my salary at the FIB to buy all my LGBT badges.
HallelujUGH: Yeah. People who are close to me really know who I am. (I'd like to say Hi to them: Hiii guys. I'm a celebrity now. Lul)
Sarah-: Yes, I am.
YiRui: Usually, I wouldn’t tell my sexuality to strangers, of course, but I am heterosexual and I am not ashamed of it. Although many might not know, I am open about my sexuality to people I know.