They testify
- Sylvie Meisel, co-responsible for the “Voilat” guide within the association L’Autre Cercle.
- Émilie Morand, sociologist specializing in gender issues
- Aliette Mousnier-Lompré, CEO of Orange Business Services
- Catherine Tripon, spokesperson for L’Autre Cercle
To consult the “VOILAT” guide
(for “visibility or invisibility of lesbians at work”), click on the image
Invisibility, the “choice” of reason
The cause of lesbians is slipping under corporate radar. A study conducted in May 2022 by the Other Circle and Ifop on the situation of lesbian women at work reveals worrying figures: only 18% of lesbian women are visible to their colleagues, while 43% would like to be. And when they are, they pay the consequences: 53% have already suffered an assault in their workplace which resulted, for 34% of them, in leaving the organization and, for 45%, in thoughts suicidal, contempt for others mechanically leading to contempt for oneself.
Renunciation is one of the aspects of this invisibility: 33% of women give up taking leave to care for their child following the birth of their partner, 44% deliberately omit to talk about their “LGBT connoted” activities. (gay pride, parties…), 41% give up the idea of participating in a corporate event where spouses are invited.
In addition to the psychological impact of devoting one’s energy to never talking about one’s private life, these renunciations constitute a serious obstacle to the socialization of lesbian women internally.
Sylvie Meisel, co-responsible for the “Voilat” guide within the association L’Autre Cercle
Promoting lesbian “role models”
While we will celebrate, next May, the 10th anniversary of the law on marriage for all, certain brakes prevent lesbian women from assuming their sexual orientation. “ Sexism, inequalities between men and women, the presumption of heterosexuality, the negative image of lesbians, the fear of discrimination or harassment as well as self-censorship – typically feminine – are all factors that explain the lack visibility of lesbian women », explains Sylvie Meisel.
Émilie Morand, a sociologist specializing in gender issues, also points out “ lack of representation ” And ” the weight of heteronormativity “.
In France, Aliette Mousnier-Lompré, CEO of Orange Business Services, is one of the rare “lesbian model roles”. She chose to come out at an event organized by her group.
I was amazed at the impact of this speech. This exhibition liberated me and I realized how powerful it was for my teams to receive this message from their own management, that everyone can be themselves.
Aliette Mousnier-Lompré, CEO of Orange Business Services
Gold, ” a leader’s coming out advances the inclusion of lesbian women by 10,000 steps “says Catherine Tripon, spokesperson for L’Autre Cercle.
A non-inclusive work environment
The fact remains that today, if lesbian women do not dare to go “out” to their workplace, it is also because companies, despite their intentions, are still struggling to create caring work environments for them. . ” The inclusion of LGBT+ people in the workplace is a subject that organizations of French culture have been tackling recently, for ten years at most, for the most mature. », We read in the guide « Voilat ».
Result : ” lesbophobia is a blind spot in corporate diversity and inclusion policies confirms Sylvie Meisel.
Fortunately, nothing is set in stone.
Lesbianism is an unthought in the world of work. To act is first to name. When words are real, people become real too.
Catherine Tripon, spokesperson for L’Autre Cercle
However, “making visible” lesbian women is not enough. Among the other avenues addressed by L’Autre Cercle, include the commitment of management bodies, the affirmation of a zero tolerance policy, the promotion of egalitarian language, the training of local managers… By June Next, the government will present a new national plan against hatred and discrimination, which promises to address the LGBT+ cause – and therefore that of lesbianism – within companies. It now remains to be seen whether he will be able to convince organizations to move from intention to action.