Ben Ponders Gender

Summary

In this interview, Ben discusses his experiences with sexual diversity and societal attitudes towards it, from his childhood through to his professional life. He reflects on how conversations around homosexuality and transgender issues were taboo in his youth, contrasting with his later experiences in a more accepting study abroad program. Ben also shares his thoughts on the rapid changes in social consciousness, the impact of social media, and the challenges of navigating a professional environment with a zero-tolerance policy for harassment. He hopes that increased awareness and understanding will lead to greater unity and acceptance.

Takeaways

• 🏠 The interviewee's family did not express hate or prejudice towards homosexuality during his upbringing, but the topic was considered taboo.
• 🏫 In high school, the interviewee observed that being gay was not openly discussed and was somewhat ostracized, with few students identifying as such.
• 🌍 During a study abroad program, the interviewee noticed a stark contrast in attitudes towards homosexuality, where it was more accepted and not a topic of concern among peers.
• 🚹 The interviewee recalls a high school friend who was gay and felt the need to date or interact with others from outside his school to avoid social stigma.
• 💼 In the professional realm, the interviewee's company enforces a strict LGBTQ+ policy, emphasizing a zero-tolerance approach to harassment and promoting an inclusive workplace.
• 📢 An incident where a colleague was fired for using a term considered derogatory, even when recounting a personal story, highlighted the strictness of the company's policy and the potential for misunderstandings.
• 📱 The interviewee speculates that the current generation of high school students likely has a different experience with sexuality due to increased access to information and more open conversations at home.
• 🔍 There is a noted shift in social consciousness around sexuality, with the interviewee reflecting on his own past and present views, indicating a personal evolution.
• 🌐 The interviewee hopes that the growing awareness and acceptance of diverse sexualities will contribute to a more unified society, focusing on commonalities rather than differences.
• 🚀 The interview concludes with an optimistic view of the future, where the interviewee envisions a society that has moved past petty differences to achieve great things together.

Q & A

What was the general attitude towards homosexuality during Ben's childhood?

During Ben's childhood, there was no hateful or spiteful language towards homosexuality. His family did not express negative views about gay people, and the topic was not prevalent in their conversations.

How did Ben's school environment differ from his home in terms of discussing sexual diversity?

At school, there was a more conservative environment where being gay was not openly discussed, and there was a tendency to not socialize with openly gay students, unlike the more open attitude at home.

What was Ben's experience with sexual diversity during his study abroad program in Oxford?

Ben found that close to half of the males in his study abroad program were homosexual, and there was no discrimination or judgment from the staff or other students, unlike his high school experience.

How has social media influenced the awareness and acceptance of sexual diversity according to Ben?

Ben believes that social media has played a significant role in advancing social consciousness and awareness of sexual diversity, both positively and negatively, by providing immediate access to information and a platform for discussion.

What was the company policy regarding LGBTQIA+ issues that Ben encountered in his professional workplace?

Ben's workplace had a zero-tolerance policy for harassment and any form of discrimination, with mandatory meetings and guest speakers to promote an open and inclusive environment.

Can you describe the incident that led to a colleague's termination due to a violation of the company's LGBTQIA+ policy?

A colleague was fired for using a derogatory term, 'transformer,' during a casual Zoom conversation, which was overheard and reported, leading to her termination despite her intention not being to offend.

How did the incident of the colleague's termination affect Ben?

The incident was alarming and terrifying for Ben, making him feel that he could easily offend someone without knowing it and face severe consequences, even in a professional setting.

What is Ben's opinion on the necessity of a more flexible policy regarding LGBTQIA+ issues in the workplace?

Ben feels that while a zero-tolerance policy is in place for a good reason, there should be some flexibility to handle grievances at a more personal level to avoid misunderstandings and promote reconciliation.

How has Ben's personal perspective on sexuality evolved from his childhood to adulthood?

Ben's perspective has evolved from a time when he and his friends would avoid certain types of pornography to a more mature and accepting view of different sexual orientations and gender identities.

What does Ben hope for the future in terms of social consciousness and unity?

Ben hopes that the evolution of social consciousness will lead to greater unity among people, setting aside petty differences, and working together towards common goals such as colonizing Mars or becoming less dependent on fossil fuels.