Intersections at work

13 not Being understood at work by People from the anglo/white majority . There was also a sense that the complexity of the intersectionality of both culture/ religion and sexuality/gender was not well understood. Other culturally diverse LGBTQ workers reported that work could be a place where colleagues, particularly those from the white majority, misunderstood the complexity of their dual identity, and lacked understanding of what coming out can mean in different cultural contexts: I feel that some colleagues I’ve told previously may have failed to understand the reasons why I haven’t come out to my family. I have had people tell me that I should just come out and my family will just deal with it, without trying to understand what the repercussions of coming out might be for me. – BiseXuaL FemaLe, FiLiPino-CHinese CuLtuRaL iDentitY . Recognise that not everyone wants to be or is “out” and culturally this can potentially be in conflict with Western notions of being out and proud. – QueeR FemaLe, itaLian CuLtuRaL iDentitY . These respondents felt like they needed to choose part of themselves, and selectively edit or ignore other parts to fit in in different contexts: Not sure if people understand the complexity of layers and challenges faced for someone with CALD background and being out at work, at home or publicly and the how you are always self-editing. – LesBian FemaLe, austRaLian-seRBian CuLtuRaL iDentitY . the Complexity of multiple and intersecting identities . A number of culturally diverse LGBTQ workers described how navigating multiple identities could be stressful and complicated, and how the different parts of their identity seemed to multiply negatively against them: There is just a bigger package of reasons for some people to hate us. I think it makes us an easier target. – PanseXuaL FemaLe, maoRi-new zeaLanDeR CuLtuRaL iDentitY . “My current role has me working in a government department where LGBTQI initiatives are prominent in the workplace. However my team is made up of a very high number of people who’ve recently arrived in Australia and have a different cultural view on life. “They are very friendly and non-threatening but as a person who also came from another country and knows what sits under the surface of the publicly facing professional position, I still find it difficult to ‘come out’ in the work environment. “ I therefore, take time in getting to know my peers before I divulge my personal details and where I feel safe to do so.” – CALD LGBTQ Employee, AWEI 2019 . awei insigHt: