In January, 2008, Gainesville passed an ordinance adding gender identity to the anti-discrimination protection status. This has apprently been a hot-button topic, and there are now groups trying to revisit this & petition to have gender-identity removed from anti-discrimination laws.
Today at work, a co-worker told me that another co-worker brought this petition to a Team meeting, trying to get signatures! "Where was your boss?", I asked her, and she explained that it was in the few minutes they gather before the boss arrives. I could literally feel my stomach turn as she shared this all with me.
My conundrum is that since it was a small group, I can't just tell my boss about this; it will automatically be assumed that whoever did not sign the petition ratted out the offender, and I don't want to inadvertently out my friend. So I'm hoping this other lady comes to work tomorrow & shoves this piece of paper in front of my face -- then I can approach my boss myself about her unprofessional behaviour.
I'm not typically a contentious person, but this really riles me -- first of all it's hostile, and secondly we don't allow this sort of thing in the workplace...if we can't sell Avon there, we sure as hell can't petition for political agendas! Wish me luck...if she suspects that I'm gay she won't ask for my signature.
--Valerie
