tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post3223232376490349364..comments2024-01-08T00:18:57.750+00:00Comments on Gay Banker: An email from a gay reader starting a career in investment bankingGBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07046768019709916759noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-37153707612002493802007-04-14T15:12:00.000+01:002007-04-14T15:12:00.000+01:00I was at a couple of events this year for people a...I was at a couple of events this year for people applying to IB in London. They had a number of out bankers speaking, and they made the point that the banks want the most profitable workers they can find. If they don't support a profitable worker, you'll go somewhere else.<BR/><BR/>The approach they encouraged was simply to be open about it, without making a big deal. One of the guys said that when the boss asked about whether he had a girlfriend, he just casually said no, and no boyfriend either. <BR/><BR/>Another talked about chatting on a Monday morning, everyone talking about their weekend, and just casually saying they were out with their boyfriend/partner. No one else made a big deal about it, and neither did they.<BR/><BR/>The one major point they did make was that if you have to spend the whole day watching what you say to avoid coming out, you wont be able to concentrate fully on getting the job done.<BR/><BR/>I think the original poster from America should just 'be out', when he starts, rather than worrying about making a big deal about 'coming out'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-37222519332828058422007-04-09T21:11:00.000+01:002007-04-09T21:11:00.000+01:00Since the author of the email is pursung a career ...Since the author of the email is pursung a career in the U.S., I'd like to point out the great resources available from the Human Rights Campaign (www.hrc.org). This includes HRC's annual Corporate Equality survey which most likely lists the larger investment banks. While the HRC survey won't speak to a manager or division's attitude, it will give an overall picture of the company.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-22137608534421728672007-04-09T13:13:00.000+01:002007-04-09T13:13:00.000+01:00I'm out at work. I don't make a coming out speech...I'm out at work. I don't make a coming out speech but I don't hesitate to mention the husband at the first natural moment. That said, I do take care not to be perceived as gay during interviews. Once I'm through the door, I feel that the toughest hurdles have been overcome. As a coworker they pretty much have to accept me. If they don't accept me and interact on a professional level, they're the one that looks bad.<BR/><BR/>No one ever has to like you regardless of your job, sexuality or any other reason. Some people will like you, some won't and you can't control the situation perfectly forever.<BR/><BR/>If nothing else, long term exposure to openly gay men should desensitise some homophobic people. Doesn't some homophobic fear grow from fear of the unknown? Haven't 50 years of coming out, pride parades and making ourselves known made it easier and easier to just be ourselves? Each new generation has to keep up the awareness or we will become unknown feared creatures once more.<BR/><BR/>We must come out if we want to keep the freedom we have, but there's a lot to say for choosing one's timing carefully.Sir Wobinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10329220412552005890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10667700.post-33882375396865415412007-04-09T09:26:00.000+01:002007-04-09T09:26:00.000+01:00As a gay guy who will soon be entering into the wo...As a gay guy who will soon be entering into the world of financial markets and investment banking, I, too, am confronted with 'coming out' issues. But I haven't yet come out to my family and friends (except a couple of really close friends), and I don't intend to either. So letting it be known at my bank that I am gay is simply out of question. Not because I am scared (though I would be lying if I say thats not a concern at all), but the primary reason is that none of my colleagues should be concerned with what goes on in my personal life. It is none of their business. Having said that, I perfectly agree when you say that a gay guy is, normally, more preoccupied with his being gay and *might* not be able to fully devote himself to his work. But I will try my best to seperate the two. <BR/>So my advice to the person who has written the letter is to go ahead and try to seperate your professional and personal lives. It is not always easy, but atleast give it a shot. <BR/>I have been a student myself for the last 23 years, and will be entering into 'work life' for the first time (ignoring the internships et al). So my perspective, unlike GB's, is not based on experience. <BR/>And GB, have a lot to learn from you and your experiences. Soon, there will be one more addition to the 'drinks evenings for gay london bankers'. :)Jiggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06303611834341752743noreply@blogger.com