LGBTQ vs. Corporate America
By Daniel Simpson
I was recently told to turn down my energy at business interviews. This was said by a family member. This person wasn’t saying I tend to be too enthusiastic necessarily but rather too flamboyant. He told me that he thinks my over-the-top energy cost me an internship I interviewed for.
For whatever reason, it still stings when someone tells me that they knew I was gay. I know this isn’t an insult. And by society’s stereotypes, I can usually tell when someone is gay as well. Short hair for lesbians, a gay man’s voice, the stereotypes are countless. I don’t feel like I am ashamed of who I am. I’ve grown to be proud of who I am. But I don’t want people to guess that I’m gay right away. There is so much more to who I am than my sexual orientation.
This same person has told me not to wear nail polish or earrings, especially at interviews. Now personally, I do not tout either of these often. I wore nail polish once for a SHOW and chaos broke loose in my house. I see where my family is coming from — society can be very judgmental. If I’m wearing black nail polish, people may view me as a “bad boy.” Same could occur if I had a tattoo or a piercing.
That being said, I should be able to express myself how I want. Employees want to work with kind, hard-working, professional individuals that make them happy — as long as I can convey that in an interview, I feel I have done my job. I’m not going to change my voice to sound “more masculine” for a business interview. If I got that job, would I have to disguise my voice every day? Any company that would deny me for just being myself is not a company I want to work at. Period.
I actually see being gay as an advantage in the corporate workplace. As a business student, I have learned that the LGBTQ+ community has priority recruiting at some companies. I have also learned the importance of building high-functioning, diverse teams — the product will always be better. I am fortunate to have found a community at the business school through the Out For Business club, which is offered at many universities.
So no. I will not be changing who I am for an interview. Even if the job pays $1,000,000 a year. No.
About the Author
Daniel Simpson (he/him) is from Park Ridge, NJ, a small town outside of New York City. He is a first-year student at the University of Michigan pursuing a dual degree in Business Administration and Theatre Arts. Go blue!
Daniel was bitten by the theatre bug at the age of seven and has been a performer ever since. When Daniel was in middle school, he performed in a professional new musical called It’s Easy: The Friend Strong Musical, where he was introduced to the Be A Friend Project (BAFP). Daniel started an anti-bullying club at his high school, and now works for the BAFP as a Media Coordinator and a National Teen Kindness Board member.
In addition to performing and spreading the anti-bullying message, Daniel enjoys marketing, coffee, cooking, working out, and going on adventures with friends.
