ࡱ> -/,` bjbjss ."$$$$$$$tT     74 4 4 4 4    $#h*$   $$4 4  $4 $4   $$ 4 ( @\f  " 07 (  $rD "1  I ]        7 ll8$\$$$$$$  [Name Withheld] A few years ago I went for a position as a disability support worker [details removed].It is mentioned on my resume that I have volunteered for the Gay and Lesbian Counselling service. I was interviewed at an office which I think was in Ashfield or Burwood. I was offered a position in a group home in Granville. I started my first day of work and I was shown around by someone who worked in this house, this person was not at the original interview. She mentioned that the staff had prayer time everyday which I said "okay". The lady showing me around took me into her office to read my resume. She was questioning me on what type of meditation I take part in. I told her that I meditate at a Tibetan Buddhist centre. She read out "Gay and Lesbian Counselling service" and then changed the subject. The next day I got a phone call and I was told that the position was no longer available. They said theperson who was leaving was no longer going to leave.I didn't challenge this at the time because I did not have the energy and was not sure how I could challenge this. I went for another job interview [details removed] in Haberfield. Before my job interview I was asked to fill in basic demographic information. On this form it was asked "spouses name", phone etc. I decided not to be out. However, I felt this was invading the privacy of gay, lesbian and single people. I did not get the position. I am not sure if this could be discrimination against people who are perceived as single. Some people have the perception that single people are less stable. I don't think it is fair that they ask this information when recruiting people as it is not relevant to your ability to do the job. I have also had experiences starting new jobs where I have not left my superannuation to my partner as I did not want to come out on the first day of work. Some workplaces ask for your 'next of kin contact' and then ask 'relationship to you'. I am forced to either 1. come out or2.put my partner as next of kin and lie about our relationship or 3.not put my partner as next of kin. I placed my partners Aunty as a next of kin contact so she can contact my partner in an emergency. This means I do not have to come out and risk my employment. However, I would prefer if they simply did not ask about your relationship to your next of kin. I was working in group houses with adults with schizophrenia. I have a rule that I definitely would not come out to clients. I had an incident where a client suspected that I was a lesbian. I evaded the question. I talked to my supervisor about this. She said "you don't talk about your sexuality with clients, I talk about my husband, my children but I don't talk about my sexuality". It seems that the supervisor is completely unaware that her husband is part of her sexuality. It would help if supervisors have anti-homophobia training. I notice that a lot of employers state that they are EEO employers. They state in add that employment is based on merit not gender, race, religion or disability. Some employers leave out sexual preference. One positive experience I have had in a community centre is where we were required to sign a declaration that we will keep it confidential if we find out about another staff members homosexuality and only mention it if the staff member gives permission for you to tell other people. Breaching this could result in dismissal. Last year my partner applied for a position as a rural GP. On her application she had to state her next of kin and her relationship to the next of kin. She put me down as her partner. She was unsuccessful at gaining a position to train as a rural GP. I am unsure if this is discrimination or whether she is not particularly good at job interviews. However, it may be better if the General Practice Education and Training did not ask the "your relationship to the next of kin" question. As this disadvantage Gay and Lesbian people who want to train as GP's. I am not sure if this is relevant to the submission but my partner's dream job is to be a rural GP. I would also like to live in the country. I know that there is a great shortage of doctors in rural areas. However, I do not know what protection there is for us from discrimination. When I was a teenager I heard that a gay man moved to [details removed] [a country town] to work as an ambulance driver and I was told he was "bashed out of town". I feel that if same-sex marriage was legalised that discrimination towards gay and lesbian people would decrease. This would make it easier for skilled Gay and Lesbian people toworkin non-metropolitan areas of Australia. Society would benefit from this. I am also unaware of what protection there is for international students. If there is any it would be good if this was publicised more widely. XYj i z { &2h9>hy-h5$h$ hZ1F H VX=?\^.0wgdy-gdZ1,1h. 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