A Unicorn Amongst A Field of Horses: An Autoethnography of Sexual Orientation Microaggressions in the Workplace

Abstract

Despite the societal changes and growing acceptance of the LGBTQ community, discrimination persists, both in overt and subtle forms. The study focuses on the subtle form of discrimination and microaggressions in the workplace against members of the LGBTQ, and how these shaped my experiences and communication behaviors as a Filipino LGBTQ individual. I used autoethnography and symbolic interactionism to examine my experiences with microaggressions from 2013 to 2019 after disclosing my sexual orientation at work. I explored how microaggressions shaped how I disclosed personal information and how I interacted and communicated at work. Specifically, I documented (1) the microaggressions I experienced after my self-disclosure, (2) my interactions after self-disclosure; and (3) how I communicated to resolve the microaggressions.

I experienced verbal and non-verbal forms of microaggressions after disclosing my sexual orientation to my co-workers. To cope with these repeated microaggressions, I ignored or tolerated my coworkers' behavior and became withdrawn from them. However, this approach created a communication gap and was perceived negatively by my coworkers. To resolve the microaggressions, I opened a non-confrontational discussion I termed as ‘pagpapaunawa’ with my coworkers and ‘educated’ them about the impact of their words and actions. This approach improved my relationships with my coworkers and emphasized the importance of communication in resolving microaggressions.