So I’m not trying to be controversial, offend or ruffle any feathers as I believe everyone should be allowed to live their life as they please, but has anyone felt pressure from upper management in their companies to attend office Pride events? I just feel it isn’t appropriate for the workplace, but if it must be celebrated employees should not feel pressured or expected to attend these events. It’s a very political topic and it doesn’t seem fair that it’s okay to shove Pride month down my throat when I know that my personal religious and political beliefs would not be welcomed in the workplace. Again, I hope not to offend anyone, but would appreciate some honest feedback as well as find out if anyone else has had a similar experience. Thank you.
Management pressures the grunts to do all sorts of crap they don't want to do. Happy hours, staying late, crunch time, morale building exercises, team building, etc. Do you care about any of that? Or did you just feel like concern trolling about pride?
I don’t like being made to feel like I am required to do any of the other extracurriculars either, but this feels different as it goes against my personal beliefs. I would never expect or feel it appropriate for co-workers to attend an office Bible study either. Not trolling…
Yup. This is where we are today. You don't just have to accept other people's sexuality, you have to go in person and celebrate it. Get used to blending in.
I agree.
I agree. I’m not interested in celebrating how you get your fun bits off, regardless of if you’re lgbtqnx or straight. The whole thing is pretty stupid.
If you give off this energy your presence is better left at home. Don’t go.
What energy? I am a loving Christian who accepts people from all different backgrounds, lifestyles and beliefs. I just don’t feel like it is right for my superior at work to make me feel obligated to participate in a Pride event as I would never make a co-worker feel obligated to attend my church. It’s a matter of one wielding their power over another in the workplace.
“It doesn’t align with my personal beliefs” If you don’t want to celebrate people being themselves, and are uncomfortable around that, just don’t go, it’s pretty simple. Just tell your boss you can’t make it. I guarantee you anyone who wants to celebrate pride probably doesn’t want you there if your religious beliefs are anti gay. (Yes that is the energy you are throwing off.)
You will be gay and you will like it
You work for Black & Veatch. An energy, water, and telecom company headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas and they are making you feel obligated to attend Pride events? How many Pride events do you guys have going on in Kansas?
BV is international.
How are they making you participate? Is it posters on the wall or are they forcing you to march in the Overland Park Pride parade? I’ve seen a few of these posts, so I’m genuinely curious what kind of participation employers are asking for.
I’m not homophobic, but I know how sensitive people are these days, just as you can see by the responses to my very respectful post. Not going to a Christmas party is one thing, not participating in Pride month is another…people assume the worst of you just as the people here have made assumptions about me because of my faith, making me feel as though it’s a bad thing. I’m just saying participation should be entirely voluntary without fear of repercussions, that’s all.
It’s ok that you feel the way you do, just understand that pride isn’t about announcing how to like to receive sexual pleasure. It’s about celebrating identity in a safe space. If that makes you uncomfortable then I think you should opt out. Maybe you don’t understand the purpose? If you are accepting of all people do you not want to celebrate that? You are allowed to feel and believe whatever you want. Just understand that when you identify as a conservative Christian who feels forced to attend a pride event it sounds like an event that you should just opt out of. Your beliefs sound rooted in exclusion while pride is about inclusion, do you see the difference? Your leaders just want you to celebrate inclusion, and it should absolutely be optional.
I still haven’t heard how this is mandatory. I think you’re uncomfortable that people might view you poorly based on your lack of attendance which is why is suggested make up an excuse. You have to walk the dog or whatever reason. If you feel that there’s a mandatory presence you can quietly go to HR and just say your religion makes you uncomfortable about this event or whatever tactful excuse you want to use and they will likely let you skip. As long as your language remains neutral and respectful (make it about your discomfort and not why are they flaunting their sexuality) nobody will really care.
Without more context around what signals you have or haven't received that there will be consequences for missing the event, it's impossible to tell if there is a genuine issue here or if you're just being a typical whiny American Christian who gets off on their persecution complex.
Dude, I think phrases like "typical whiny American Christian who gets off on their persecution complex" kind of give it away.
At meta the events are optional. Just don’t go.
Like I stated in my post, I’ve been made to feel my attendance is mandatory.
Do you have family or other obligations you can use as an excuse.