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I'm sure this post will have some uneducated ignorant responses to it but that's okay I've become use to that over the years. I'm just curious if your department has any openly gay ff's and if so is there or has there been any issues come from that?? I would like to think or at least hope that in this day and age with the military which I proudly served in finally realizing there is and always will be gay service members that can do their jobs well, that the fire service has revolved as well.
Yes, I am an openly gay firefighter and have been in this business for going on 23 years this year. I'm a career firefighter in a department with approx 140 personnel. I am fortunate in that I work at a progressive department with amazing people that have accepted me for who I am. Yes, there are a few people in my department that may not be totally comfortable with it but they still treat me with respect and I respect them. I do my job and do it well I might add and they know they can depend on me at any time both at work and off work. I am happily partnered and contrary to popular belief just because your a male doesn't mean a gay guy wants you or that we will stare at you in the showers at work or anything of the sorts. My shift in particular know they have nothing to worry about and never act weird in front of me changing or anything like that. I'm guessing that's some people's fear. My guys are a part of my life just as I am theirs. They have all met my partner just as I have met their wives and they all treat him with respect and have welcomed my partner as part of their family. I'm fortunate to have good group of intelligent, respectful, understanding, and accepting people to work with and for.
So, I'm really curious as to how other openly gay firefighters are perceived in their departments and if there are any issues that have arisen from being open to your coworkers. Before anyone responds that your department doesn't have any gay ff's I can pretty much guarantee you that's not the case which is why I'm asking about "openly" gay ff's. I know I'm not the only one in my department but I'm the only open one. I actually feel bad for my other gay/bi coworkers that feel they need to hide who they are but that's not my business. You have to handle that in your own way.
Feel free to respond honestly just not ignorantly. It's 2011 and the days of discriminating, demoralizing, or disrespecting people because of their gender, race, sex, orientation, age, religion, etc is just plain ignorant.
Looking forward to your responses. Be safe out there and come home alive. Much respect to all my fellow brothers and sisters for doing what we do day in day out!
Yes, I am an openly gay firefighter and have been in this business for going on 23 years this year. I'm a career firefighter in a department with approx 140 personnel. I am fortunate in that I work at a progressive department with amazing people that have accepted me for who I am. Yes, there are a few people in my department that may not be totally comfortable with it but they still treat me with respect and I respect them. I do my job and do it well I might add and they know they can depend on me at any time both at work and off work. I am happily partnered and contrary to popular belief just because your a male doesn't mean a gay guy wants you or that we will stare at you in the showers at work or anything of the sorts. My shift in particular know they have nothing to worry about and never act weird in front of me changing or anything like that. I'm guessing that's some people's fear. My guys are a part of my life just as I am theirs. They have all met my partner just as I have met their wives and they all treat him with respect and have welcomed my partner as part of their family. I'm fortunate to have good group of intelligent, respectful, understanding, and accepting people to work with and for.
So, I'm really curious as to how other openly gay firefighters are perceived in their departments and if there are any issues that have arisen from being open to your coworkers. Before anyone responds that your department doesn't have any gay ff's I can pretty much guarantee you that's not the case which is why I'm asking about "openly" gay ff's. I know I'm not the only one in my department but I'm the only open one. I actually feel bad for my other gay/bi coworkers that feel they need to hide who they are but that's not my business. You have to handle that in your own way.
Feel free to respond honestly just not ignorantly. It's 2011 and the days of discriminating, demoralizing, or disrespecting people because of their gender, race, sex, orientation, age, religion, etc is just plain ignorant.
Looking forward to your responses. Be safe out there and come home alive. Much respect to all my fellow brothers and sisters for doing what we do day in day out!
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