Miami Dade College Diversity in Organizations Case Discussion

Questions to Consider (End of Chapter)

1.    Some states and cities have legislation prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, weight, appearance, and other factors that are not covered under federal legislation. What factors may affect the passage of such legislation in some areas, but not in others? Is sexual orientation discrimination prohibited in the city or state in which you live?

2.    When the U.S. armed forces were first integrated, there was tremendous opposition, but integration has been accomplished. How similar and different is the opposition to the open service of gays and lesbians in the military to that for the integrated service of Blacks and Whites?

3.    What is the official policy on sexual orientation discrimination in the organization in which you work or are interested in working? With or without non-discrimination policies, what is the climate toward LGBT in the organization?

4.    How is the invisibility of sexual orientation similar to or different from the invisibility of religion?

5.    In Individual Feature 11.2, Pascal Lepine proposes that gays and lesbians may also be more open to others who have also been marginalized in society. In what kinds of situations have devalued, disenfranchised, and marginalized groups in the United States supported each other’s causes? When have they undermined or resisted each other’s causes?