Workplace discrimination against white collar lesbians and gays and their coping strategies: A case study from Ankara, Turkey

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Fen Edebiyat Fakültesi, Sosyoloji Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2013

Öğrenci: AYSUN ÖNER

Danışman: FATMA UMUT BEŞPINAR AKGÜNER

Özet:

This thesis explores workplace sexual orientation discrimination in Turkey. The discrimination and harassment experiences of white collar lesbian and gay individuals at the work place, the results of these negative experiences and how they cope with these are discussed in this thesis. In this thesis, I analyze the existing theoretical literature of sexual orientation discrimination and evaluate their relevance in a developing country, such as Turkey, where traditional and cultural beliefs and norms are still prevalent. The presence of sexual orientation discrimination put forth through interviews held with white collar lesbians and gays. Gays and lesbians, who experience discrimination at different levels and in different work environments, try to vitiate the effect of this treatment by using various strategies, such as hiding their sexual orientation by fabricating a lover or appearing to be asexual, quitting, ghettoization. On the contrary, they may choose to protect their self-integrity and reveal their sexual orientation, thereby becoming implicitly or explicitly out. Work place safety, self-integration and the degree of being in compliance with gender norms are the key determinants in the decisions of lesbians and gays regarding the strategies and there is fluidity between all strategies.