Snyder. Chapter 12, "Overcoming Lavender Discrimination."

Snyder argues that fear is what keeps people at their jobs despite discrimination. She focuses on discrimination based on one's sexual orientation and gives exercises and advice on how to fix or get out of a discriminatory work situation. She uses interviews and a few statistics to support her claim. Discrimination based on sexual orientation may be the focus in this piece, but Snyder shows that there are similarities between various forms of workplace discrimination. This piece is helpful for anyone in a work environment that discriminates, but it is particularly helpful for those who suffer discrimination based on their homosexuality. -C.D.

The author of this article exposes what she describes as lies, stating that "You deserve the same opportunities, salary, and respect that have afforded every other hardworking person in the workforce. You have the right to be treated with dignity in the workplace and have the opportunity to succeed (140)."   Asserting that the essential power of employers is in their own hands and the responsibility for one to achieve overall success, the author explains that much change for the LGBT needs to take place. The changes which need to be made can develop from practical modes of attacking a larger issue. Such changes can take place by first identifying sources of discrimination in the workforce. These modes may include identifying offensive materials, persistent harassment, and recognizing behaviors of overt aggression and extreme hostility. To further improve conditions for the LGBT community and all oppressive work environments the author implores the need to measure levels of offense and the rates at which they occur in the workplace. Snyder also urges employees to talk about their offenders. In doing this, the employee may be more likely to seek outside assistance or connect with other coworkers in their community. Furthermore, as Snyder encourages "Let's address the principles on which these oppressive environments are based and then take away their power by exposing their myths (143)." The author argues that in order to recreate conditions of equality for members of the LGBT working community, members of this community need to outwardly expose markers of oppression--in doing this, they become empowered, while disenabling surfacing forces of control and discrimination in the workforce. - B.M.

Snyder discusses the problem of discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation. This issue is discussed as one that is unique to that of being a woman or a minority in the workforce, because there is not even a national law to protect them from discrimination. Many gay people interviewed talked about the verbal and physical abuse they endured because they felt that this was the best they could do, and chose not to fight back. Snyder shows a list of sources of discrimination, but also stressed the importance of language and indirect harassment against gays. Dispelling truths, asking the reader to think about their work situation, and helping them create a game plan if they are in fact being discriminated against, Snyder created a useful guide to dealing with an important issue for the GLBT community that is rarely discussed. - K.B.