Homophobic Slurs/Jokes In The Work Place

[Trap Queen Voxxy]

So, I love this new job and all but there is an increasing amount of homophobic jokes and slurs being thrown around and I'm debating on what to do about it. I've been recording it because originally, when thinking about this, I thought it would be smart, keep it silent, then if my job is ever in peril, use it as leverage.

What do you guys think?

[Book O'Dead]

If I had a dollar for every job I've lost over a matter principle I'd have, what, 3 dollars?

If you value your job keep your mouth shut about it and walk away from the slurs. Don't abet the idiots and don't antagonize your new employer.

[Lenina Rosenweg]

This would depend on the overall situation. Is the homophobia widespread or confined to a small group? If you wanted to use this as leverage, would the powers that be at your workplace care about homophobia? Are you in a situation where you can politely call people out on this?

Do you think the homophobic jokes are directed at yourself?

At some work places I've been at homophobia is basically the work culture. At another place I worked at people could and were fired for a single homophobic slur.

A lot would depend on the nature of the work place.

You don't want to be in a situation where you are regarded as a "snitch", even if the behavior you are snitching on is reprehensible.

[Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant']

In most jobs I've had I've had to listen all kinds of opinions and jokes that I found odious (not many that offended me directly or were about me but just homophobic comments, racist jokes and just ignorant shit).
For the sake of job security, I'd always keep my distain to myself. Keep an eye on it tho for when / if they cross a line.

[TheGodlessUtopian]

Thread moved

[ComradeChe]

I don't know if this is the right place to ask my following question, but I didn't want to open a new thread for a question that might be answered with a single line, and it is about homophobic slurs.
Lots of times I hear people say "Thats so gay" or for example " (X) Sport is for fags"...etc, what is this behavior called? because sometimes I hear this from a person that I know is not homophobic, is it in closet-homophobia? is there a definition for such behavior? lots of time I respond to such comment as inappropriate or border line homophobia but I don't know if I am right!!

Thanks and sorry if I went off topic!

[aquaruis15000]

What if you work in a comedy club? You'd be fucked!

[TheGodlessUtopian]

I don't know if this is the right place to ask my following question, but I didn't want to open a new thread for a question that might be answered with a single line, and it is about homophobic slurs.
Lots of times I hear people say "Thats so gay" or for example " (X) Sport is for fags"...etc, what is this behavior called? because sometimes I hear this from a person that I know is not homophobic, is it in closet-homophobia? is there a definition for such behavior? lots of time I respond to such comment as inappropriate or border line homophobia but I don't know if I am right!!

Thanks and sorry if I went off topic!

At this point it becomes part of the linguistic cultural attitude.It doesn't mean that their language isn't still homophobic but just that the terms have taken a life of their own within society.There is no official term for it (as far as I know).

[Trap Queen Voxxy]

What if you work in a comedy club? You'd be fucked!

This isn't just "that's so gay," or some shit, this is straight "don't be a faggot," or "I wrote faggot on my street sheet for this prick I knocked," or something like that, like legitimate homophobic jokes and slurs. While thinking about it, I didn't want to report it for two reasons, I don't want to out myself like that at my work plus again, I'm thinking I can use this as an ace in my pocket simply due to the fact that if I continue collecting examples and evidences, I could probably get anything I want if I report it.

[Dunk]

I'd consult a lawyer before you consider making any moves like that.

[Workers-Control-Over-Prod]

I don't know if this is the right place to ask my following question, but I didn't want to open a new thread for a question that might be answered with a single line, and it is about homophobic slurs.
Lots of times I hear people say "Thats so gay" or for example " (X) Sport is for fags"...etc, what is this behavior called? because sometimes I hear this from a person that I know is not homophobic, is it in closet-homophobia? is there a definition for such behavior? lots of time I respond to such comment as inappropriate or border line homophobia but I don't know if I am right!!

Thanks and sorry if I went off topic!

It is capitalist cultural degeneracy.

[Trap Queen Voxxy]

I'd consult a lawyer before you consider making any moves like that.

Like what?

[Workers-Control-Over-Prod]

Like what?

He/She most likely means blackmail.

[Rusty Shackleford]

This isn't just "that's so gay," or some shit, this is straight "don't be a faggot," or "I wrote faggot on my street sheet for this prick I knocked," or something like that, like legitimate homophobic jokes and slurs. While thinking about it, I didn't want to report it for two reasons, I don't want to out myself like that at my work plus again, I'm thinking I can use this as an ace in my pocket simply due to the fact that if I continue collecting examples and evidences, I could probably get anything I want if I report it.
dont go crying to management or HR with this. that makes you a rat.

dont be all pushy with your co-workers over it but dont let all of it slide. let them know when shit crosses the line -though all of it is- you have to pick your battles


i confronted a co-worker over racism (two actually) and they both apologized profusely. after that, they toned it down. i also work in a very 'mixed' workplace.

[eyeheartlenin]

This isn't just "that's so gay," or some shit, this is ... like legitimate homophobic jokes and slurs. While thinking about it, I didn't want to report it for two reasons, I don't want to out myself like that at my work plus again, I'm thinking I can use this as an ace in my pocket simply due to the fact that if I continue collecting examples and evidences, I could probably get anything I want if I report it. [Emphasis added]

Is this 1984; do we live in Oceania? Or is it perhaps the German Democratic Republic, where a record number of citizens, reportedly, cooperated with the state security forces in fingering people in their workplaces or other environments?

Whatever happened to free speech? Or solidarity among working people? Gee whiz! "Revolutionary leftists" collecting information on their fellow workers, to use at an opportune time, for their own advancement, against those other workers? Am I the only person here who thinks that is contemptible behavior?

And the most incredible thing is, this is in the "mutual aid" part of RevLeft!

[Sea]

free speechFree speech =/= hate speech (if Vox isn't exaggerating), but otherwise I like the way you think.

The opportunism in this thread is sickening. If someone is being bigoted at one's workplace, the first reaction should be to ask oneself why those attitudes exist rather than how to use them for self-gain. So I ask:

Vox Populi, what do you think is the reason for such narrow-mindedness? I know you say the slurs are harsh, but is there real hatred behind them? Or is it a case of offense for offense's sake like is seen on a certain imageboard, but with little or no real prejudice behind the slurs? Is the hatred towards one person who happened to be gay (maybe a mean ex-boss or something) or is the hatred really homophobic in the broad sense as it seems at face value?

I'm sure you see what I'm getting at.

[Ravachol]

dont go crying to management or HR with this. that makes you a rat.

dont be all pushy with your co-workers over it but dont let all of it slide. let them know when shit crosses the line -though all of it is- you have to pick your battles


i confronted a co-worker over racism (two actually) and they both apologized profusely. after that, they toned it down. i also work in a very 'mixed' workplace.

This. However fucked up this kind of stuff might be, don't go to management/HR or any of the bosses lackey's. If you feel the situation is appropriate, confront people about it. This works best (in my experience) in one-on-one situations where people somehow don't feel that "oh god everybody is watching me I have to defend my 'honor'" bullshit pressure. Unless they're really obnoxious or deep-rooted homophobes you have a chance they will come around.

[ellipsis]

I've never had to deal with this really, but it seems like what can you do other than talk to your co-workers? Especially if you or another person isn't being targeted.

Society is full of racism, sexism, homophobia etc. and we all have to deal with it, including in the work place. I don't mean just shut up and deal with it, but ratting out your co-workers to HR won't solve anything.

[Hiero]

It is capitalist cultural degeneracy.

Isn't that what it always is?

[Hiero]

Thread moved

Why would you move it to mutual aid & DIY?

[Halleluhwah]

[Emphasis added]

Is this 1984; do we live in Oceania? Or is it perhaps the German Democratic Republic, where a record number of citizens, reportedly, cooperated with the state security forces in fingering people in their workplaces or other environments?

Whatever happened to free speech? Or solidarity among working people? Gee whiz! "Revolutionary leftists" collecting information on their fellow workers, to use at an opportune time, for their own advancement, against those other workers? Am I the only person here who thinks that is contemptible behavior?

And the most incredible thing is, this is in the "mutual aid" part of RevLeft!

I don't think it's fair to expect somebody to sit around and listen to hate speech that (perhaps inadvertently) targets them. I'm not saying that ratting the coworkers out is the best way to go, but I think it's very easy to talk about 'solidarity' if you haven't been in a position like this. Nobody should have to put up with racism, homophobia, etc. or be treated as subhuman because they are a socialist and don't want to piss off some assholes who happen to be working class.

And seriously, 'free speech?' It's the same excuse right wingers use when they make disgusting racist jokes. Having a legal right to free speech doesn't mean other people have to put up with your shit. They have "free speech" too.

[Marx Communist]

If you are that butthurt ignore them.

[#FF0000]

dont go crying to management or HR with this. that makes you a rat.

dont be all pushy with your co-workers over it but dont let all of it slide. let them know when shit crosses the line -though all of it is- you have to pick your battles


i confronted a co-worker over racism (two actually) and they both apologized profusely. after that, they toned it down. i also work in a very 'mixed' workplace.

yeah this is pretty much the correct answer.

on an unrelated note: nobody who has ever used the word "butthurt" has ever had anything of value to say in the history of forever

[Permanent Revolutionary]

I would have to agree.
If you feel that something a co-worker said has crossed a line or offended you personally, tell that person why you think it's wrong for them to say such things.

Do not report on co-workers.

[thriller]

Tricky situation. I agree with Rusty on this one. I've found that if you make a stand in a non-threatening way, but still assertive, most co-workers will respect that because you told them rather than the boss. However they may increase the slurs and aim at you, it depends on the environment I guess. I think keeping a track record is a good idea and place to start. I know where I live, the legal requirement is that you must tell management about the incident and "let them deal with it" before any lawyer will take action (Basically it has to happen twice for the law to get involved).

[DasFapital]

I can sympathize. My old boss used to talk shit about the transexuals she saw on the street and how she distrusted asian immigrants. Then when she found out my dad was native american she asked if the tribe was like in those romance novels where the ripped shirtless warrior would take in the simple white woman. I found that one entertaining more than anything else. As long as they keep to a minimum I wouldn't bother too much about it.

[Trap Queen Voxxy]

If you are that butthurt ignore them.

Ew, lol, go fuck yourself.

Thanks for the advice Thriller.