Arcigay is collecting the stories of men, women, and trans people facing discrimination in the workplace. Some say, "I thought it would be my life's work. Maybe in another life..."“
—
Just two weeks after its launch, Arcigay has collected over a thousand questionnaires for the first national survey on workplace discrimination involving gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals: Io sono, io Lavoro. "It's a significant number; we expected to collect at least 600 questionnaires in a month, but having collected over 1,000 will allow us to provide more significant data on a vast and unknown phenomenon. We invite everyone, whether they're discriminated against or not, to complete the online questionnaire at www.iosonoiolavoro.it," explains research director Michele Giarratano.
Gay.it – In Italy, people are still being fired for being gay. "We would like to have more questionnaires from women and transgender people, and from citizens of the cities of Genoa, Florence, and Catania, as these are the three pilot cities chosen as a representative sample across the country." The research will finally provide clear information on the extent and complexity of the phenomenon, taking into account all segments of the LGBT community, both workers and non-workers, with all types of contracts. With the data in hand, it will be possible to implement and implement, also in collaboration with institutions, strategies to reduce discrimination.
The collection of questionnaires, and stories of discrimination against gay, lesbian, and trans people, will end on May 15, 2011, and Gay.it is able to preview some of the stories of discrimination told by those who have already completed the questionnaire.
Giovanni, who works for a small company in a small town, has a happy ending: "At first, there were jokes that made me feel bad. They didn't think anything of it; for them, it was normal. After a few weeks, I told myself that either I had to leave or I had to say something. I told them that I thought they were wrong, that they were hurting me. They understood and apologized. It wasn't easy, but it was worth it. I'm lucky.".
And "jokes" about gays in the workplace are all too common. Salvo says: "I work in a very stressful environment: confusion, arguments, anxiety... Except that when they get angry with others, they're referring to the things that aren't working for them; when they get angry with me, they mock me for my sexuality." Carla adds: "Honestly, I wanted to do a different job than the one I do now. But they told me that someone like me would have a bad end there: it's an all-male environment, the sexual jokes are heavy. I'm sorry... I think it really would have been the job of my life. Maybe in another life...".
The issue of transgenderism emerges forcefully from Silvia's words: "I wear women's clothes, but I haven't had surgery. My identity card, and therefore my badge, still bears my male name. They always make fun of me.".
In Italy, people still quit their jobs for being gay. This is Michele's case: "My employer found out I was a drag queen on weekends. He told me I couldn't go on like that, that I was bringing a bad name to the shop. He fired me.".
Gay.it – In Italy, people still get fired for being gay. But there's also room for inclusive workplaces, as in Francesca's experience: "I feel good in the office, the atmosphere is good. I'm employed by a public institution and I feel protected. Many colleagues know about me. We respect each other. But when my partner is sick, if I want to stay home to care for her, I'm forced to take time off. I think this is discrimination.".
The data collected by Arcigay will be released starting at the end of June 2011 and promises to make a real contribution to improving the future of gays, lesbians, and transgender people.