The Power of Shared Experiences

H E A LT H

The Power of Shared Experiences: LGBTQ+ Friendships in the Workplace

BY KATIE MCCULLOUGH

When I first began teaching, it was at a traditionally conservative middle school. When I first started that job, I was nervous about how I would navigate this career as a queer person in Florida - a place where social and political attitudes are sometimes at odds with my own, especially of late. There were tears when I was asked to remove my postcard-sized pride ag from behind my desk, there were awkward stumbles through personal questions, and any college friends with similar identities and experiences had all moved away. I felt alone and confused when I wanted to be open and authentic. Being part of a marginalized group can be a lonely and isolating experience, especially through transitional times in our lives. For many of us, the power of shared experiences and understanding through friendships can provide a sense of belonging and acceptance. However, as time went on, I adjusted - as we all do - to my new environment and was actually quite happy. Enter Sarah: the new coworker - who happens to be a lesbian. She and I immediately bonded, becoming fast friends. I quickly realized the difference it made in my quality of life to have someone in the same community alongside me in the day-to-day. Her arrival made me feel seen and understood in a way I did not know I needed. McKinsey & Company conducted research showing “stress increases when a person experiences ‘onlyness,’ or being the only one on a team or in a meeting with their given gender identity, sexual orientation, or race” and “LGBTQ+ women are also twice as likely as straight women to feel as though they cannot talk about themselves or life outside work” (2020). Without realizing how comfortable I was in settling for my current workplace dynamic, I was missing out on the joy of working with someone like Sarah. It taught me pride, it taught me the power of inclusion, it taught me how cathartic it is to have someone who shares your identity and experiences in a professional setting. Sarah’s presence brought a newfound sense of camaraderie and a deeper understanding of the value of diversity and inclusion. Tolerance is not enough. You deserve to be embraced and celebrated.

KATIE MCCULLOUGH, graduate of Flagler College, is currently teaching English Language Arts in Saint Augustine, FL, specializing in gifted and exceptional education. Prior to attending graduate school, Katie plans to pursue her passion for writing while finding time to travel the world.