Work colleagues grrr!

[Boogie2u]

I have only (fairly) recently allowed my bi side out of its cage and today it has dawned on me that being bi or gay appears to be such a 'joke' in the workplace. i think ive had it up to here with comments from people of all walks of life, some freinds some managers etc... Is it really so f***ing funny? am i really that hilarious because i like men as well as women ? grrr
I am not 'out' so i find myself shying away from this, silently getting annoyed and ignoring it...BUT the volume of digs at peoples sexuality is astounding... at least 5 times a day, in fact more am i hearing a 'gay/bi joke'.
its making me feel so aggressive im running miles every night to shake it off.... anyone with any ideas how to combat this without feeling they have to suddenly out themselves??

[Mudblood]

I've had a similar situation, though not quite as harsh from the sounds of it. But the last time it really got on my nerves, I simply looked at the person in question with a completely straight and impassive face, and said "I like men too."

It shut them up pretty quick, and they got way more embarassed than I ever did.

Not saying it will work in every situation, but you might want to consider it?

[the sacred night]

:soapbox:

I'm in this situation a lot, but not at work... at work I'm ok being out and several ppl at work know. It's with my family that I'm not out and even if I was they'd probably just say *more* slurs to teach me a lesson or some shit... because they're like that. One time my uncle (by marriage thank the gods, I don't have to claim him) was talking about how he heard a woman teacher at a local school was gay, and he said "I could cure that." My first thought is "WTF how do you think you could do that, seriously HOW?" and then I was extremely angry... I said a few general things like "Just because she likes women doesn't mean she's hitting on her female students, Tim" and I have been fairly successful with things like that in situations where I didn't want to out myself but still had to say something. If I didn't think it'd get back to my parents, who I really think deserve to find out in a compassionate way from ME and not my asshole of a step-uncle, I would have told him though just to see him choke on his coffee

[Azrael]

I have only (fairly) recently allowed my bi side out of its cage and today it has dawned on me that being bi or gay appears to be such a 'joke' in the workplace. i think ive had it up to here with comments from people of all walks of life, some freinds some managers etc... Is it really so f***ing funny? am i really that hilarious because i like men as well as women ? grrr
I am not 'out' so i find myself shying away from this, silently getting annoyed and ignoring it...BUT the volume of digs at peoples sexuality is astounding... at least 5 times a day, in fact more am i hearing a 'gay/bi joke'.
its making me feel so aggressive im running miles every night to shake it off.... anyone with any ideas how to combat this without feeling they have to suddenly out themselves??
5 times a day? Is that all? Seriously though, I used to install ACs so I totally understand. My former employer talked mad shit about longtime gay clients which infuriated me. No, it's not really funny at all and can put people over the edge like it did me, well at least that was part of it. My friend's tactic is just messing with people back and questioning their sexuality but that's just not my style. I hope things work out for you.

[Boogie2u]

Thanks for your comments guys , i suppose it just makes me realise ive probably been asleep for years and im finally waking up to the prejudice out there. it just infuriates me so much... im still trying to find what the joke is...and you know what? i working within the caring healthcare profession lol, one that aims to treat people equally and without prejudice.
im thinking i need a 'spiritual' way forward on this... find a way to quieten myself when all around me has gone mad otherwise i think i will end up joining the insanity!

[canuckotter]

Every once in a while if I get really annoyed I just use the direct (and rather mean) approach. When someone starts joking about someone being gay, I stop them and say "OK, so what's the funny part?" And I keep pushing it until they have to admit that funny part was supposed to be that someone's gay, and then I ask "OK, so why's that supposed to be funny?" I try to keep it friendly, like I just don't understand and am desperate for someone to explain the joke... but yeah, I'm not that good an actor. :tong: Then again, I'm generally out, so it's not a big deal if someone puts two and two together and comes up with cherry pie. Mmm... yummy cherry pie... *drool* :bounce: