My week got off to an interesting start with the discovery of a large parcel with my name on it. Instant reaction: "for me? yay!"

I opened it up and found that it contained:

• The 2009/2010 Stonewall guides. I'd never finished reading the 08/09 ones...guess I don't have to now! :D
• Advertisement cards for an upcoming careers fair designed for LGBTQ people.

While I'm still ploughing through the guide, the careers thing was particularly interesting to me on several levels, which I had a chance to discuss during my interview with RedBrick.

The interview

On Monday afternoon I met another of Nick's lovely editors from the RedBrick Features section for an interview for an article she was writing. It was more of an informal and pleasant - yet highly productive - chat focusing on a number of topics:

Sexuality and the Workplace

I can say from experience that this is a difficult issue, and will probably continue to be for years to come. In a workplace you're liable to work alongside anyone between the age of 16 and 65. Generally, senior positions (i.e. positions with authority) will be filled by the older generation; people who weren't raised in the progressive years of LGBTQ equality; employees that come out are liable to feel subject to sexuality-based judgement. We as University students have it easy by comparison; those of us who choose to come out can do so with little-to-no risk to our careers. Also, those of us who are not working while studying have the luxury of being able to take a active political stance on such issues without the worry of losing income and livelihood.

Case in point: the University Staff LGBTQ I've been helping to establish. The historic conservative nature of UoB makes it even more difficult for staff to publicly identify their sexuality. Having worked as a software engineer since before I started Uni, I understand all too well. Consequently, the fact that I served as the Guild's LGBTQ Officer will never appear on my CV. I've been a software engineer for longer than I've been at Uni, and the price of compromising my career just to make a political statement certainly isn't one I can afford to pay.

That being said, the word "discrimination" has become a powerful word in the workplace that minorities - LGBTQ or otherwise - have at their disposal. However, I believe that with any amount of power comes an equal amount of responsibility and this should only be used to justify crimes against the equality of minorities; not their superiority. For this reason I call it "the 'D'-word".

Homophobia - restricted to men?

I'm glad this question was asked. In my experience - and the experience of many of my friends - the majority of homophobia tends to be directed at gay/bi males by their straight peers; often a result of the "alpha-male" mentality and a belief that gay/bi males are inferior because they will not procreate. Lesbians have also fallen victim to the alpha-male mentality; yielding harrassment and abuse ranging from sexist comments to the shocking concept of "corrective rape".

That being said, homophobia certainly isn't exclusive to males. Lesbians are subject to abuse from their female peers. From what some of my lesbian friends have told me, female homophobia tends to be a nastier, more subtle version of male homophobia, however the effect is the same.

I personally, as a bisexual man, have also encountered a great deal of biphobia from women, as have one or two bisexual male friends; male bisexuality tends to put a lot of women off. What's worse, a shocking number seriously thought that the fact I've had sex with other men means I'm automatically HIV positive (thank you VERY much National Blood Service policy >_<). It's fairly uncommon, but it does happen.

Condemnation by organisations

I've always thought that the blood ban was the last remaining significant obstacle standing in the way of progressing LGBTQ equality. A national organisation operating on poorly-hidden, institutialised homophobia is a sad reflection on our nation's social progression, and I sincerely hope that the recent consultation (mentioned in my last blog post) yields some real change in the their policies soon.

Recent press such as that outrage that was Jan Moir's article, the Norwich gay pride response letter and, of course, Nick Griffin making a complete fool of himself on national television prompted the writing of the RedBrick article. It's enough to raise a few eyebrows and ask the questions: Have people been pressured into merely tolerating homosexuality and are they lashing out in frustration? Or have we instead simply raised a new generation who see sexuality as such a trivial aspect of a person, and are older generations simply lashing out in fear?

I ultimately stand by the sentiment I was quoted on: huge strides have been made towards LGBTQ equality in the last ten years, particularly in this country. There are still countries throughout the world who criminalise homosexuality, and someone's very life is at risk just because of who they are. Bisi Alimi is one of these people; a Nigerian man who came out as gay on National Television (as shown in the video below) - an act which has rightfully earned him the respect of many LGBTQ people worldwide, myself included.

My point is, while we can appreciate the strides that have been made in recent years, here in the UK, we shouldn't hanging up our coats and call it a day; the last vestiges of intolerance and discrimination can and will be eliminated.