Worried about my future

[Thunderstorm]

I just can't stop thinking about what's going to happen. I came out as gay to my parents. They were shocked yet they said they would still love me IF I was. They still have their doubts which hurts me. I just hope they won't be surprised if I come home with a boyfriend one day. And I just worry about that. Telling the rest of my family (in future years), future/current friends (haven't told all), co-workers. I plan on pursuing a fairly high profile job (Broadcast Meteorology) and I just want to know, how will this effect me? Should I just keep my private life a secret? Do I tell them I'm gay at the interview, a few years into my career when I've established a support base, or not at all? Isn't that hard when you're in the broadcast business? Does this put me at harder risk of finding a job? If they do find out, will they fire me? I'm just worried and need someone to calm all my worries. Please and thank you.

[DoodleSnap]

In a proffessional setting, sexuality doesn't matter. They will employ the best person for the job, and your sexual orientation doesn't make you any worse. I would simply not say unless asked. There is no reason that they should need to know, and there is no reason that you should need to answer. I know it is easier said than done; but don't worry about something that might not happen. Instead, worry about things when they do happen.

[Thunderstorm]

In a proffessional setting, sexuality doesn't matter. They will employ the best person for the job, and your sexual orientation doesn't make you any worse. I would simply not say unless asked. There is no reason that they should need to know, and there is no reason that you should need to answer. I know it is easier said than done; but don't worry about something that might not happen. Instead, worry about things when they do happen.

Thanks. I just know in some states it is legal to fire someone for being gay. I don't believe mine but many states you can be fired based on sexuality.

[StoppingTime]

My guess (and hope) is that by the time you enter the workforce, such prejudices are no longer as prevalent. We're already seeing laws like these being changed, and I don't see any reason as to why that would stop, or change course.

Further, I don't think that sexuality really plays too much of a role in job selection, anyway. Equal opportunity employers (which make up many private sector jobs) are not allowed (http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/otherprotections.cfm) to discriminate against someone because of age, race, sexuality, sex, etc, so again, I wouldn't worry too much about it, especially now.

[Magenta]

Never say your sexuality in an interview. It does not concern them. Your sexuality is not something you need to advertise. You come out to the people you want to come out to. You do not even have to tell someone your age in an interview, unless you are under the age of 18. If you are over that, you are not obligated to answer. So your sexuality is a no-brainer -- it's none of their business.

I'm very open with my sexuality. I operate, so to speak, with an open door policy. You want to ask, you'll get an answer. But if I felt unsafe for any reason, I wouldn't say anything. That's how you should approach things, if you are comfortable with that. If someone asks? Go ahead, answer. But if you think you will be discriminated against, hurt, or anything that makes you feel unsafe, don't say anything.

A lot has happened in the LGBTQA+ community since I was your age and I'm only a few years older than you. I think -- and hope -- that by the time you get where you want to be, your sexuality will just be another part of you and won't have any say in what you can or cannot do.

[SethfromMI]

as far as your professional future it is not their right to ask, so I wouldn't really get into that unless you really want to

[JamesSuperBoy]

You just have to decide - sadly the laws whatever are often broken. Like anything a happy medium as to your private life and what you wish people to know.

[James Dean]

Life is what you make it and you have to realize the pros and cons to every decision. I would like for you to be happy for the person you are, worry about yourself and do things in your own time. If you can handle the label, and you want to battle against the stereotypes of whether or not sexuality should or shouldn't be enforced in the workplace, then go for it. Professionalism I don't think falls under sexuality. Again, this is your life and it is what you make it buddy. :)

[Meh Guy]

I just can't stop thinking about what's going to happen. I came out as gay to my parents. They were shocked yet they said they would still love me IF I was. They still have their doubts which hurts me. I just hope they won't be surprised if I come home with a boyfriend one day. And I just worry about that. Telling the rest of my family (in future years), future/current friends (haven't told all), co-workers. I plan on pursuing a fairly high profile job (Broadcast Meteorology) and I just want to know, how will this effect me? Should I just keep my private life a secret? Do I tell them I'm gay at the interview, a few years into my career when I've established a support base, or not at all? Isn't that hard when you're in the broadcast business? Does this put me at harder risk of finding a job? If they do find out, will they fire me? I'm just worried and need someone to calm all my worries. Please and thank you.


First off, sexuality is protected under the various rights in North America (assuming you live there) so it's illegal to be fired for that reason. Harder to find a job? Maybe. Just like with women and non white people, the discrimination is always there. However, I see no reason to even have to tell people, beyond your inner circle/family. I consider myself out, yet only a small bunch of people know I'm bi. I see no reason to meet someone new and say, "oh yeah, I'm bisexual." If it happens to come up, then sure, say that you're gay. Otherwise, no one really has any business knowing. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll work through the obstacles and it'll be fine in the end.

[Thunderstorm]

Never say your sexuality in an interview. It does not concern them. Your sexuality is not something you need to advertise. You come out to the people you want to come out to. You do not even have to tell someone your age in an interview, unless you are under the age of 18. If you are over that, you are not obligated to answer. So your sexuality is a no-brainer -- it's none of their business.

I'm very open with my sexuality. I operate, so to speak, with an open door policy. You want to ask, you'll get an answer. But if I felt unsafe for any reason, I wouldn't say anything. That's how you should approach things, if you are comfortable with that. If someone asks? Go ahead, answer. But if you think you will be discriminated against, hurt, or anything that makes you feel unsafe, don't say anything.

A lot has happened in the LGBTQA+ community since I was your age and I'm only a few years older than you. I think -- and hope -- that by the time you get where you want to be, your sexuality will just be another part of you and won't have any say in what you can or cannot do.

First off, sexuality is protected under the various rights in North America (assuming you live there) so it's illegal to be fired for that reason. Harder to find a job? Maybe. Just like with women and non white people, the discrimination is always there. However, I see no reason to even have to tell people, beyond your inner circle/family. I consider myself out, yet only a small bunch of people know I'm bi. I see no reason to meet someone new and say, "oh yeah, I'm bisexual." If it happens to come up, then sure, say that you're gay. Otherwise, no one really has any business knowing. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll work through the obstacles and it'll be fine in the end.

Thank you guys. I agree that I don't need to tell anyone. I'm also hoping in 10 years (hopefully when I'm settled with a job) that it won't be as big of a deal, probably even by the time I get to college (1.5 years).

Thank you all for making my worries go away!

[Zachary G]

In a proffessional setting, sexuality doesn't matter. They will employ the best person for the job, and your sexual orientation doesn't make you any worse. I would simply not say unless asked. There is no reason that they should need to know, and there is no reason that you should need to answer. I know it is easier said than done; but don't worry about something that might not happen. Instead, worry about things when they do happen.

Most decently stated. DoodleSnap has made a lot of valid points here.