Ever said something which you’ve immediately regretted? Ryan Perdio has.
Sexuality and the workplace – it’s a potentially volatile mix.
There’s already enough boardroom ammunition in most workplaces to ensure Joe Kiss Arse in the next cubicle can make your life hell, without needing to add the details of your bedroom antics to the office armoury.
Understandably, when confronted with the situation of a possible office outing, most employees would choose to decorate the truth, omit it altogether, or segue to something completely off-topic. Anything to keep quiet about their sexuality.
But then there are the pink-collar workers like me.
I’ve been out at every workplace I’ve been employed in. My sexuality never seems to stay a secret for very long, as I tend to be quite an open person. And it’s not necessarily because of the way I act. Nor is it the tales of my shenanigans that gives me away.
No, it’s the things I say, which straight Joe would never dare, that does it.
For example, one of the girls I worked with during my stint at a Call Centre figured out I was gay after I complemented her on her new shoes and tote handbag; a gorgeous matching pastel pink combo from Allanah Hill. I mean, who wouldn’t give the girl some deserved praise for her seriously classy couture, especially on a phone bitch’s salary?
Then there was the time as a Fashion Retail Assistant when I extolled the virtues of proper face care, complete with recommendations of quality men’s grooming products, to a pimple-riddled 18 year old boy while helping him pick out the latest in skater hoodies. I kept noticing the little yellow Mount Vesuviuses dotting his face trembling every time he struggled and strained to fit the tops over his head. I was worried they’d erupt all over the clothes I was selling.
Or once, bathed in sweat and the after-glow of a particularly intense Spin session, when I loudly proclaimed, as the instructor of the whole class, that the last 45minutes had been more fun than an all-night stint on the dance floor surrounded by shirtless hirsute men.
You get the point.
So, it shouldn’t have come as a surprise that my infamous ability of having my mouth run away from me would strike once again.
This time, during a conversation with my 50-year-old manager, the only person at my current workplace who seems not to be aware that yours truly is a seasoned player for the rainbow league.
Jerry: So, what are you up to tonight? Me: Just dinner in the city. Jerry: A hot date? Me: No, I’m meeting up with a mate before we go see a movie. Jerry: What are you seeing? The new Indy flick? Me: Already saw that. We’re going to watch a movie about a clown and a king. It’s a gay Asian film. Jerry: Oh, ok. I saw a gay film once. Brokeback Mountain. Me: Yes, seen that too. It’s good, except he dry roots him. That hurts, trust me. Jerry: Oh. Right. Well… have a good night then.
So, yes, I’ve been out at every workplace I’ve been employed at – and sometimes I say the things that Joe Kiss Arse would never dare.
A lot of the gay community wouldn't know what it is like to "have to" hide your sexuality because it may be a danger to you, whether it be physical or verbal, etc. I have worked in several jobs where if I outed myself I would have suffered. I worked as a mechanic and it’s a man’s man’s world and the women were not even allowed in the workshop, let alone there be a "poof".
So now that many years have passed and I’ve been in many different job environments, I think office jobs are a breeze and 95% of the time you won’t have a problem if you out yourself on purpose by letting it slip; it is just our personal barriers of coming out to a new group of people that brings those fears of coming out to your family.
The way I deal with it now is if they have a problem with something that is none of their business, then it’s their problem to deal with. But saying that I make people uncomfortable by blurting out what goes on in my bedroom, it’s no different if that fifty year old boss turns and says what he likes to do to his wife – you would just want to vomit and run away.
Ever said something which you’ve immediately regretted? Ryan Perdio has. 
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