AUTHOR=Bizzeth Stephanie R. , Beagan Brenda L. 

TITLE=“Ah, it's best not to mention that here:” Experiences of LGBTQ+ health professionals in (heteronormative) workplaces in Canada

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sociology

VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sociology/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2023.1138628

DOI=10.3389/fsoc.2023.1138628

ISSN=2297-7775

ABSTRACT=Introduction: Despite human rights protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people, LGBTQ+ professionals may continue to experience discrimination working in heteronormative systems and spaces. Methods: In this qualitative study 13 health professionals (nurses, occupational therapists, physicians) from across Canada participated in in-depth qualitative interviews to explore their experiences with work-related microaggressions and heteronormativity. Results: Heterosexist microaggressions from both patients/clients and colleagues were the norm, perpetuating and bolstered by heteronormative workplace and professional cultures. In turn, LGBTQ+ professionals navigated disclosure-decision-making, in power-laden contexts where all options carried potential negative consequences. Discussion: Drawing on the notion of ‘heteroprofessionalism,’ we argue that the concept of professional carries encoded within it demands that the occupant of that category be – or present as – heterosexual, an unmarked status that can be readily desexualized. Acknowledging sex and sexuality disrupts ‘professionalism’. We argue that such disruption, indeed dissention, is necessary to open (hetero)professional spaces to LGBTQ+ workers.