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In This Issue:
BWH/FH this year formed an affinity group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) staff to advocate for increased sensitivity to unique health and personal issues that LGBT patients face in different care settings, as well as to make the work environment more welcoming and supportive for LGBT staff. In honor of National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11, four BWHers share their thoughts on the importance of being out in the workplace and why the affinity group is valuable.
For more information on the LGBT Affinity Group, contact Carrie Braverman, LICSW, at BWHLGBT@partners.org
“Having trained at the Brigham and worked here for 16 years, I know how difficult it can be for LGBT providers and staff to share aspects of their personal lives with colleagues, out of fear of how supervisors and peers will react. By being ‘out’ as a BWH leader, I hope to ease those fears for many who may be wondering how accepting their BWH ‘work family’ truly will be.” – Michael Gustafson, MD, MBA, senior vice president for Clinical Excellence
“I am out at work because it allows me to focus fully on my job treating patients. It’s hard to tip toe around someone’s identity. People connect with similar interests, and people use their personal lives to bridge that gap. I feel it’s important to be a part of a LGBT affinity group because it allows people a place to feel they belong to the organization at another level.” – Coley McDonough, TBI Radiation Therapist, Bone Marrow Transplant Team
“I feel it’s important to be out at BWH because I think there are still a lot of misconceptions out there about LGBT individuals. It’s important for people to know that we’re just folks like everyone else. I also think it’s important to be out and to have the affinity group in order to lend support to others in the LGBT community with the ultimate goal that no one feels alone or fears discrimination.” - Laurie Rapson, RN, nurse in-charge, Maternal-Fetal Medicine and OB Resident Practices
“To be out is, in part, an exercise in integrity, of being true to one’s self and values. To hide that aspect of a person, as I have done in the past, is in fact an effort, and that distracts from the other things we are doing. We are healthier, happier and thus better at our work when our outer and inner lives are aligned, not in conflict. This isn’t about being gay, but about being true to who we are so that we can be at our best.”
- Juan Jaime de Zengotita, MD, Internal Medicine, SJPHC
2 Comments
Being "out" is an exercise in being whole and authentic. I know few people that truly never speak of any aspect of their personal lives in the workplace. It's sad that some LGBT people still feel the need (whether out of shame or out of real fear of judgment) to make an active effort to conceal this part of their identity and lives. I invite anyone interested to please comment and share your own stories -- as an LGBT person yourself, a friend, parent, colleague, etc. And please do join the employee affinity group -- open to all who are interested and supportive.
As the mother and mother-in-law of a lesbian couple I am so happy to see this kind of open dialogue going on in this community. Celebrating all lives is so important to a vibrant work place and for all our patients. Thanks for being "out" there.
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