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11208
Bizzeth, Stephanie R; Beagan, Brenda L
2023
"Ah, it's best not to mention that here:" Experiences of LGBTQ+ health professionals in (heteronormative) workplaces in Canada.
Introduction: Despite human rights protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, LGBTQ+ professionals may continue to experience discrimination working in heteronormative systems and spaces.

Methods: In this qualitative study 13 health professionals (nurses, occupational therapists, and physicians) from across Canada participated in in-depth qualitative interviews to explore their experiences with work-related microaggressions and heteronormativity.

Results: Heterosexist microaggressions from both patients/clients and colleagues were the norm, perpetuating and bolstered by heteronormative workplace and professional cultures. In turn, LGBTQ+ professionals navigated disclosure-decision-making, in power-laden contexts where all options carried potential negative consequences.

Discussion: Drawing on the notion of "heteroprofessionalism," we argue that the concept of professional carries encoded within it demands that the occupant of that category be-or present as-heterosexual, an unmarked status that can be readily desexualized. Acknowledging sex and sexuality disrupts "professionalism." We argue that such disruption, indeed dissention, is necessary to open (hetero)professional spaces to LGBTQ+ workers.

Keywords: Canada; LGBTQ+; health professionals; heterosexism; minority group; queer.
Frontiers in sociology
8
1138628
https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2023.1138628
Workplace/Worklife Issues-General
Nurses-Unspecified, Occupational Therapists, Physicians-Unspecified
Multi
Interview/Focus Group, Qualitative Methods
Canada
Journal Article
Published Literature
English
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion