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From: rjd@linus.UUCP (Robert DeBenedictis)
Newsgroups: net.motss
Subject: Re: Coming Out at Work  &  Corporate Policies
Message-ID: <270@linus.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 15-Mar-85 13:35:03 EST
Article-I.D.: linus.270
Posted: Fri Mar 15 13:35:03 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 17-Mar-85 19:12:27 EST
References: <246@linus.UUCP> <267@linus.UUCP> <268@linus.UUCP> <269@linus.UUCP>
Reply-To: rjd@linus.UUCP (Robert DeBenedictis)
Distribution: net
Organization: The MITRE Coporation, Bedford, MA
Lines: 30
Summary: 


  O--------------------------------------------------------------O
    The opinions expressed in this article are my own and do not
     necessarily reflect the opinions of the MITRE Corporation.
  O--------------------------------------------------------------O

I was curious as to why the corporation didn't want to allow me to use the
word "gay" in my housemate wanted ad (see previous two articles).  I went
to the editor of the corporate weekly, The Bedford Bulletin, and inquired
Why?  He threw up his hands saying "Corporate Office" and Lawyers.  HE
didn't make this decision.  So I set out to talk to Mr. Corporate Office.
I first went to one of the VPs; the General Manager.  He said that it wasn't
his problem  AND  that it was not he that was Mr. Corporate Office.  So I
went a little higher and ended up making an appointment with the president
of MITRE, Mr. Bob Everett.  I saw him this morning at 11.  We only talked
for a few minutes.  He said "We've got to draw the line somewhere."  He felt
that if I were allowed to mention that I was gay that one thing would lead
to another and suddenly ads like "Sadist seeks Masochist" would be appearing.
The corporation simply does not allow "things like that" to be mentioned in
roommate wanted ads.

What does one say to this?  I found myself agreeing, but only because I
could not articulate my case.  Was he right?  Is naive of me to think that
mentioning "gay" in an ad would NOT lead to outright racist ads (like:
"No Italians Need Apply").  What is the counter argument to "We've got to
draw the line somewhere."?  I mean, I do agree that lines should be drawn.

Any help appreciated.

Robert DeBenedictis