Nursing and sexual orientation

[borinick1492]

Now I will say this. For the most part, I keep to myself. And my orientation is my business. I'm not going to be telling every person I pass, who I prefer to sleep with. Again, it's my business. And I also know that what you do with your personal life should never be mixed in with your work. But the reality is, it usually does. And people talk.

I've read various places on here that some of the female nurses can be pretty nasty. Do you honestly think that a person's sexual orientation is an issue? Particularly in nursing. No I'm not a man. I'm a woman. And I'm wondering if people are truly accepting. Especially since they are in the medical field.

[CherryRed23]

I have a great friend who, when I first met her, for the longest time just talked about her "sweetie". Then she said her sweetie's name...which is a name that could be either a girl or boy name. It was when she refered to her as her partner that I figured it out. It really shouldn't matter and if it does matter to someone...they're not worth talking to anyway :)

[borinick1492]

Exactly. I hate hearing the comments people make. Saying things like "******" or other things like that. Sometimes you just have to take it and walk away. Comments like that usually tip me off to whether or not someone is worth talking to.

[irish6363]

I have not been an LVN for long but I would hope that it isnt an issue !! that would really disturb me if that was a problem with the people I work with.... I have zero tolerance for bigots and any form of racism. No one should have to feel ashamed and hide what their sexual preference is for fear of rejection.

There are work environments and companies where it is not tolerated at all...and there are serious consequences if it is discovered that employees are openly harassing or making any kind of derogatory inferences about sexual preferences or your racial background.

Be yourself and do not fear the ignorant...

:)

[borinick1492]

Again, that means the world to me! This site is so accepting. I've never encountered so many accepting people. EVER. Not when it comes to the straight community. It's so amazing.

[irish6363]

Also, you are very young from your posted age and I can understand where you could be intimidated by older and experienced nurses, but just observe before you decide whom you trust, because there are what I like to call "Barracudas" every work place has them not just nursing....and they can bring you down...Be yourself and love yourself as you are...

You are the age of one of my children and I love my children unconditionally and would never want my child to feel fear or anxiety about what others might think of him for his sexual preference.

[lkwashington]

I agree with the all posts. The only thing I can add is that you have to be yourself and do you. This means whatever makes you happy and keep you happy. I know Im happy. Guess what misery loves company. Stay away from misery as much as you can even if its your own. People feed off of others misery. Stay positive. We all are nurses. We took the same oath. We became team members for life. I dont care what sexual orientation if I am in cardiac arrest please attempt save my life. Good luck to you and your significant other.

[rn4ever?]

Your orientation is your business. But just a friendly reminder, if you don’t want others to talk about your stuff, don’t share your personal life with them. Gossip in the work place can really be horrible.

[belfry]

I work hospice...and we have had several gay men work with us. No problem, ever...and we are in the rural deep South, with all that it entails! As long as we all do our jobs and help each other out as teammates, there is no friction whatsoever. I could honestly care less.

The only discomfort occurred when my coworker was not comfortable sharing with us, and that made for an elephant in the corner...if you avoid the issue, or dodge it, it becomes fodder for gossip. And looks like you are ashamed or afraid of saying who you are. Is he?? Isn't she??? Just be straight (pun intended) with the facts, saves time and tiptoeing around an issue that should not be an issue!

:redbeathe

[Sparrowhawk]

My part of the country gay/lesbians are far and few between and pretty quiet about it. I could care less who or what you do. I generally ask if I wanna be noisy, "You have a man, woman, donkey?" The donkey makes ppl laugh. Work ain't church...I've not seen one person get onto another for who they choose to snuggle with.

[pandora44]

I my experience, it depends on the area of the country you are in and the type of nursing you do. Many people on this tread have said you just shouldn't say anything about your sexuality and then no one will bother you about it. I find this very insulting since if you never say anything about your sexuality everyone will assume you are straight. If that doesn't bother you, then hey, no problem.

But I have found that there eventually comes a time when you have to make a choice about outing yourself, at least a little bit. Usually it comes when you eventually get tired of all the snide and homophobic comments that some straight people make on a regular basis. For example, using the phrase, "That's so gay!" as an insult. Or using air quotes when talking about a female patient's legal "wife," as a colleague of mind does. I find this behavior unacceptable and will tell someone so. I take pains to make it tactful but it doesn't take a genius to figure out that I'm not straight.

Frankly, I couldn't care less what my co-workers think of my sexuality. I would much rather they know that I'm bisexual than let comments like those above go by unchallenged. Actually, I think they were more horrified that I'm an atheist.

[geekgolightly, BSN, RN]

I have definitely heard nasty comments from coworkers, and I have spent my time calling them out on it. Because I am married to a man with a child, they all assume I am straight, and so I have heard comments from time to time and it irritates the heck out of me.

Sometimes nurses can be the most judgmental of people, rather than the most accepting. I have worked in Texas, Kansas, Missouri and Pennsylvania and in PA, there was little bias. Kansas was the worst, by far.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Your orientation is your business. But just a friendly reminder, if you don't want others to talk about your stuff, don't share your personal life with them. Gossip in the work place can really be horrible.

True that. Never share any information you don't want repeated.

Gay people aren't immune to the gossip of co-workers. But it's really an equal opportunity situation as coworkers gossip about each other whether they are gay or straight because people love to gossip about one another.