CALL FOR CHAPTER CONTRIBUTIONS IN FORTHCOMING BOOK

Being Out: The Implications of Being Openly Gay or Lesbian

Just what does it mean to be "openly gay"? In California, employment anti-discrimination protection is provided to lesbians and gays through the labor code. The courts defined being openly gay as a political act and therefore protected as political free speech. But what specific behaviors are protected? Here the law and courts are silent. This is a gray area that needs definition.

In my experience, I have made it a personal policy to never initiate discussion on queer knowledge, but, I will answer any and all question asked. Once I am known to be gay and recognized as an expert on the topic, I am quickly hit with a barrage of questions; many questions heterosexuals would never be asked. As a consequent, I have been terminated from a number of teaching positions for acting "unprofessional." When I requested copies of written codes of conduct, no school district, teacher's union, or state educational agency has been able to provide me such a written policy. I am told they do not exist. Similarly, when I sought help from the State, the Department of Labor Standards Enforcement was unable to help. Obviously, I exceed some unwritten boundary concerning being openly gay that California state law does not understand.

This book hopes to explore the social, philosophical, and legal aspects of what it means to be openly gay. Besides theoretical discussions, personal experiences are sought to illustrate the subtle nuances to the phenomenon of how society reacts to openly gay persons. Also, we need to explore the wider definition of openly gay to include bisexual, transgender, transsexual, and intersex issues. Ultimately, it is hoped that this book will give guidance to policy makers so as to provide effective protections for queer people.

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