To think this isn’t appropriate work conversation?

[AllIDoIsFloat]

Sat at work and on my lunch break while two colleagues discuss that they are anti-LGBT. In its entirety. They believe lesbians and gay people are going against “gods will” and that trans people are just mentally unwell and the surgery should be illegal.

Now I’m somewhat gender critical myself but certainly don’t believe that the surgery should be illegal. And in any event, I don’t think it’s appropriate for work? They don’t know what other people are going through, how they or their family identify. It just makes me sad that they think this is appropriate. I’m

I understand that, and I totally agree with you. But being kind a respectful to gay people may seem a hateful opinion in their eyes.

No it’s not an appropriate conversation to be having in an open plan work environment where others could hear. Completely irrelevant but why are you all eating your lunch at your work stations isn’t there an area you can move to? If not you’re probably going to hear a lot more inappropriate conversations during lunchtimes

I'd definitely call out homophobia.
I'd probably call out the religious speak too, in the sense that their right to religious beliefs are protected, but their right to also expect others to just accept it as absolute truth isn't.
I am GC, and don't believe the NHS should fund reassignment surgery.

They are the blinkered ones then, being gay (or whatever you want to call same sex attraction) isn't a choice, following religion is.

And I’m waiting for my manager to respond to my email. Not much to update on I’m afraid

We can take our lunch whenever we want. I usually go for a walk for 25 minutes and then just sit back down for the last 5

We all get on well in the office. I don’t know how others feel about them as I’m not in the business of bitching about my colleagues with other people in the office.

It’s a religious belief, which is not considered hateful to hold in the eyes of the law. You’d be surprised to hear that it’s a very common belief world wide.

If I were your manager I would ask you why you did not say something to your colleagues? I would also want some corroboration of what it is you are reporting, in case it is malicious. Your snitchy response to what appears to be a private conversation is a bit cowardly.

I have worked with managers who take as gospel gossipy snitching, and protect the snitcher, without there being any evidence. It creates a toxic bullying atmosphere.

OP it's difficult when you're new in a job. Tbh it's difficult whenever you have to work with people you're complaining about. Generally I'd say challenge the person at the time. It can be done in a non aggressive way with a smile even if you think they don't deserve this.

Speaking discriminatory comments out loud in a workplace isn't on. Homophobia and other isms are for private. It will totally depend on the workplace how this is handled. A good workplace should respond well but I suspect many will go the way of this thread and attack you for being the difficult one...rather than deal with the hate talk

I completely disagree with just about everything on this thread. I don't find anything they've said hateful at all. Whether you agree with what they've says is irrelevant. Free speech means you are able to hold a discussion.

Also aren't they at lunch. So an unpaid break, so they aren't at work at all. On work premises, but not being paid to work, so what they do or discuss be it going for a walk, or discussing theories.

whether you agree with it or not many Christian's except that the Bible advises or suggests gay relationships aren't recommended.

Many people believe that you can't change sex and that operations to change sex should be limited or questioned.

Whether you agree or disagree with either is not relevant.

I am able to debate that hard right politicians believe certain things, and hard left Labour suggest other tactics. Stating facts and discussing doesn't mean I agree with either political party.

Where does free speech and discussion end? Or where should it be allowed? Where do the lines of homophobia or transphobia begin. I'm not transphobic. I'm not scared. I know no one can change sex, that's a fact, but I don't call that a phobia. There's a difference.

Saying that LGBT people are 'against' God's will is hate speech in the workplace.

It's a good job you don't work in office if you wouldn't be unable to keep your prejudiced opinions to yourself. You would out yourself as both bigoted and unprofessional.

It's still homophobia, even if it's religious based homophobia.

I mean, a lot of us get quite concerned when people refer to gods as absolute, when that's not remotely correct. It's just one way of living your life and doesn't give you the right to treat LGB folks disrespectfully.

@phoenixrosehere

Does your workplace have a list of allowed topics.

Are you allowed to discuss ..... the price of an item in the local supermarket, but not .... Kier Starmer's latest policy or Reeve's budget?

If your company dies have a list of 'allowed topics' , then was this discussion not on the topic list?

'A dislike or fear of homosexuality itself'.

OP didn’t say anyone was treated disrespectfully.

I find balancing ‘freedom of speech’ and ‘freedom of belief’ a bit tricky.

In the UK religion is a protected characteristic, as is sexuality.

So we are allowed to say ‘gay sex is against god’s will’.
We are allowed to say ‘I don’t believe your God exists’.

Both conversations are inflammatory in the work place, though.

But it isn’t. It really isn’t. If the person holding this opinion told a gay colleague that their sexuality goes against God’s will, then that might be seen as hate speech. But that’s not what the OP is claiming happened. You really need to read up on the Forstater judgement.

This thread worries me. At the time of posting this, 25% think the OP is being unreasonable.

Ya, I guess I’m not as evolved as the other poster in here because I would be pissed if I had to listen to that shit about me and my partner at work.

And no, it’s not my job to educate and intervene to discuss my sexuality.

Religion is used as an excuse for so many absurd things.

If they were talking about black people like this would it be ok?

Because I didn’t choose my skin, and I didn’t choose my sexuality. Insulting either of those things in a workplace should be unacceptable.