Letters to the Editor, February 21, 2013

Without a law to protect homosexuals from discrimination, it is believed this minority group will suffer emotionally, especially in the workplace.

The relationship among colleagues is built through mutual understanding, care and trust. Discussing one's personal life in conversation is unavoidable, and this drives homosexuals to ponder the dilemma of whether or not to "come out".

Heterosexism is the major barrier for coming out. This concept incorporates both implicit and explicit forms of discrimination. Implicit events may include questions such as, "Why aren't you married?" Explicit events may include malicious anti-gay jokes.

This arises from a culture prevalent in organisations that considers heterosexuality as the only normal and acceptable sexual orientation.

Gays often experience psychological distress from being virtually in the minority. Coming out happens only when hiding their orientation becomes too emotionally costly.

Yet the outcomes and responses from colleagues and supervisors afterwards can be even harder to overcome.