Twinterview

Inclusive Conversation

Our current cover story is about inclusiveness in the workplace, with reference to the queer community. There's lots more to be said on the topic, and we're sure you, our readers have more to say too. So we're hosting a chat about the topic, here and on Twitter. Joining us will be a few of the people we spoke to. If you'd like to have us ask a question for you, please tweet it to @Forbes_India or email it to social.forbesindia@network18online.com

Date : 27 June 2011, Time : 4:30 PM (IST)
(We, with our colleagues at Firstpost.com, hosted a panel chat on the same topic, listen here.)

Inclusive Conversation

Mason Donovan : RT @forbes_india: Getting ready for #LGBTchat
Nitin Karani : @forbes_india that's great
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india is starting the #LGBTchat right now! Join.
Mason Donovan : RT @forbes_india: If you have a question for #LGBTchat, tweet it to @Forbes_India or @ForbesIndia - our team is standing by to pick the ...
Nitin Karani : RT @firstpostin: We are following @forbes_india #LGBTchat. Also read it on firstpost at http://t.co/yU5RMWg
Forbes India : #LGBTchat @parmeshs wrote a first-person piece about his experiences in corporate India. Parmesh, describe yourself in 140 characters.
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat Multiple hat wearer. Author. Corporate type. Think tanker. Fashionista.
Forbes India : Also with us on #LGBTchat, @dsheikh726, who appeared in the story. Say hello, Danish, and tell us about yourself, in 140 characters.
Forbes India : And all the way from the US East Coast, @thedagobagroup - it's 7 AM for you! Thanks for being here.
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india Thank you for having us. We look forward to this important discussion.
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat Human Rights Lawyer. Pop Culture Enthusiast. Serial Reader. Fits-and-starts Writer.
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india We are a global integrated consulting group with a specialty in LGBT development, Diversity and Inclusion, Sales Management.
Forbes India : Thanks @TheDagobaGroup, not least for being here so early in the morning
Forbes India : And rounding it off for #LGBTchat, @queerindia - Nitin, your turn. Yourself in 140 characters.
Forbes India : We'll carry on without @queerindia then
Forbes India : Quick credit first
Forbes India : BAck to #LGBTchat. Questions coming up.
Forbes India : #LGBTchat For all of you: How difficult is it to come out at the workplace?
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat Past few years have been easy since I've been very "out" right from the start at my current as well as previous job
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBT chat (1/2) completely depends on the workplace - the kind of diversity policies that are in place are very important
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india Depends on work climate, perceived risk, individual's process,management culture.For straight people, it is a daily occurrence
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat And I came out in both places (Mahindra, Godrej) at the begining, while being hired, by asking about HR policies.
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBT chat (2/2) Google features a great environment in that regard: the Gayglers group; an intra company policy of open-ness
Nitin Karani : @forbes_india apologies. Am here now #lgbtchat
Nitin Karani : @forbes_india apologies am here now #lgbtchat
Nitin Karani : @forbes_india gay activist. @bombaydost and @humsafartrust board member. Financial editor
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat So stifling before I came out. Being in the closet is like being constipated. Coming out is such a relief!
Forbes India : #LGBTchat - sorry, had a browser crash. back now, and @queerindia is with us too. Glad you could be here, nitin
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat actually it was my final internship before starting my first job at Alternative Law Forum in Bangalore.
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat At 3 months, it was a longer than usual internship, and as a Google intern you get to interact with everyone
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat Gayglers is the intra company group for LGBT supportive employees. It's an incredibly supportive space.
Forbes India : #LGBTchat For all of you, follow-up question: Do colleagues still have the same equation with you after you've come out?
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat having been out since the beginning, I didn't experience a change in equation as such. It never was an issue anyway.
Nitin Karani : @forbes_india yes, but I guess I have been very lucky. Not everyone has it easy though they should 1/2
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india Consciously often yes. More challenging due to unconscious bias. To reset requires coworkers to do their own learning.
Nitin Karani : @forbes_india managers and companies need to create an environment where being LGBT is not an issue. that should be apparent 2/2
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat Most colleagues tend to respect you for being yourself. For those that don't, a non-discrimination policy helps!
Forbes India : #LGBTchat @thedagobagroup How do you recommend that LGBT people deal with hostility in the workplace?
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat But a supportive boss is more impactful than any HR policy. Colleagues tend to treat you how your boss treats you.
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india First try to manage directly. Give feedback about impact on ability to work effectively. 1/2
Forbes India : RT @desi_boys: @forbes_india Yes! Maybe not initially but sooner or later they do realize that you are still the same person. #LGBTchat ...
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india Go to manager. If not, many co's have other ways to go direct to HR or ombudsperson. 2/2
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india If your company has a LGBT Affinity employee group, it would be helpful to connect with the group to discuss your experience.
Forbes India : #LGBTchat @dsheikh726After our story appeared, what kind of questions or responses have you received?& how did you respond?
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india This is typically where many companies may see attrition of good employees when they do not have an inclusive culture.
Forbes India : (reminder to readers: you can follow #LGBTchat w/out distractions at http://business.in.com/conversation/twinterview/inclusiveconversation )
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india With the awareness of this issue as a business imperative, we believe the exception soon will be companies without inclusion.
Forbes India : #LGBTchat @dsheikh726 After our story appeared, what kind of questions or responses have you received?& how did you respond?
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat (1/2) Incredibly positive. I've got strangers reaching out to me regarding how proud they feel.
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat My friends have been their usual supportive self, as has my liberal workplace - the Alternative Law Forum, Bangalore
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat The Forbes story answered a lot of questions rather than raising new ones, which is great
Forbes India : #LGBTchat 3 related questions coming up for @queerindia - you still with us, Nitin?
Nitin Karani : @forbes_india yes, so far ;)
Forbes India : #LGBTchat [1/4] Do you find any difference in the way men & women respond to a person's sexuality?
Forbes India : #LGBTchat [2/4]i.e. Within attitudes towards homosexuals, does gender play a role?
Forbes India : #LGBTchat [3/4] Who tends to be more conservative or judgemental? Do men tend to me more or less biased than women?
Forbes India : #LGBTchat [4/4] Do male homosexuals face more or less discrimination than female homosexuals?
Nitin Karani : @forbes_india yes, most women are unaffected as they don't have any sexual image to live up to 1/2
Forbes India : Now Live - A TwitterChat on LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) inclusion in India Inc http://fb.me/UrM06ej6
Nitin Karani : @forbes_india ...some straight men feel the need to make a greater show of their manliness in case there are doubts 2/2
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india Yes and No. Bias against lgbt is deeply ingrained for both. 1/2
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india Men may have stronger reaction due to male socialization against anything perceived as non-masculine. 2/2
Nitin Karani : @forbes_india both genders do harbour bad, and good, stereotypes in their minds about LGBT people
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india Can be more difficult for women because they are in minority at work. Being lesbian could create another layer of challenge.
Forbes India : #LGBTchat All of you: what is the worst LGBT stereotype, by your reckoning? And the best?
Nitin Karani : @forbes_india lesbians potentially face double the discrimination, for their gender and their orientation 1/2
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india Depends more upon upbringing, religion/beliefs, general philosophy, or even comfort with oneself, than gender.
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat Actually, I think lesbians are discriminated against the most - in Indian society as well as the workplace.
Nitin Karani : @forbes_india for most straight men, women R not supposed to be sexual beings to start with so asserting you are lesbian is unthinkable 2/2
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india @dsheikh726 @TheDagobaGroup @queerindia Yes, sure.
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat Worst - All gay men are predatory! Oh, and we were all sexually abused at a young age!
Nitin Karani : @forbes_india @dsheikh726 @TheDagobaGroup @parmeshs I am here for a few more minutes hopefully
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india Stereotypes (unconscious bias) of any kind are not good since they do not take the individual value into consideration.
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat Best stereotype - that we dress well. And it's true you know.
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat Lesbians and transgenders, actually. Weren't those the hardest to find for the cover story as well?
Forbes India : #LGBTchat @queerindia How do ostensibly LGBT-friendly companies deal with socialising issues? [1/3]
Forbes India : #LGBTchat @queerindia For example, can a gay employee bring along his partner on a family day? [2/3]
Forbes India : #LGBTchat @queerindia Another example: On off-sites, who rooms with an openly LGBT employee? [3/3]
Nitin Karani : @forbes_india in the different ways that your story mentions. Diversity policies, employee affinity groups, diversity training 1/2
Nitin Karani : @forbes_india panel discussions with external speakers, participation in Pride marches, sponsoring local LGBT charities 2/2
Nitin Karani : @forbes_india I don't know if this has happened anywhere but it should. I would love to bring my partner. 1/2
Nitin Karani : @forbes_india about two years ago I and my partner went for an unofficial office trip to Goa
Nitin Karani : @queerindia @forbes_india I meant the trip was with some of my colleagues and bosses :)
Nitin Karani : @forbes_india in my last org I was out and I did shareba room with my straight male colleague
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india @queerindia These are issues a company should discuss openly. Often it helps to have an outside consultant to facilitate. 1/2
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india @queerindia There is no set answer fit for all companies as it will be unique to the company's culture. 2/2
Forbes India : (I think @queerindia will have to leave soon, so I'll say thank you to him right away)
Forbes India : #LGBTchat @parmeshs What milestone in India Inc will make you feel LGBTs have come of age? Or will make you feel India Inc has come of age?
Nitin Karani : @forbes_india my pleasure. Sorry can't stay longer
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat Widespread same sex spousal benifits policies in Indian as well as multinational companies, plus....
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat ...lunch chats where topics like gay adoptions etc are as usual as the same old what-my-daughter-did-yesterday
Forbes India : #LGBTchat @dsheikh726 For the lawyer! What support is there, legally, for Indian LGBTs?Have things improved since the Supreme Court verdict?
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat Related to that is equal maternity/paternity leave for all employees, male, female, gay or straight.
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat You mean the High Court verdict? We're waiting for the next hearing before the Supreme Court in July
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat Outside of the law, there've been strides forward - more than 6 cities have organized pride marches in the past year
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india @parmeshs More visible Indian LGBT in senior leader positions in big companies.Also when LGBT inclusive policies are the norm.
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat On the other hand, the Karnataka govt has passed a draconian legislation disrespecting transgender rights this year
Nitin Karani : @parmeshs @forbes_india if I may add before I finally go. A top exec comes out. Top guns sponsor their employee affinity groups 1/3
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat The SC outcome is important - but so is the tide of public opinion. We need conversations, we need visibility.
Nitin Karani : @parmeshs @forbes_india Transgender employees are offered support pre and post transition 2/3
Nitin Karani : @parmeshs @forbes_india corporates compete hard with each other to attract and retain LGBT talent 3/3
Forbes India : #LGBTchat @parmeshs, you wrote about this in your piece.
Forbes India : #LGBTchat What prominent closet LGBT would you hope comes out to make a statement for the community & help break the fear around coming out?
Forbes India : #LGBTchat @parmeshs If you'd prefer to skip that :) could you name some Out Indian LGBTs who are role models today?
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat Yes. I wrote in my piece that senior closeted LBGTs coming out would be inspiring to others...
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india CEOs, Executives, Sport Stars, Politicians, Actors, Leaders of any kind...this will help everyday people come out.
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat Outing people isn't such a good idea, especially elders. You know what respect we have for them in Indian culture:-)
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat Each out person is a role model, as is each person who resists family that wants to forcibly marry off him/her.
Nitin Karani : @forbes_india @dsheikh726 @parmeshs you will find 20 in the next issue of @bombaydost :)
Forbes India : #LGBTchat 3 related questions coming up for all of you, starting with @TheDagobaGroup
Forbes India : #LGBTchat [1/3] Are gay jokes acceptable, just like jokes on doctors or politicians?
Forbes India : #LGBTchat [2/3] Or do they make it more difficult for gay people to come out openly and lead a normal life?
Forbes India : #LGBTchat [3/3] Is it ok to make gay jokes in a group when you know someone gay is part of the group?
Nitin Karani : @forbes_india @dsheikh726 @parmeshs but Ashok Row Kavi and Vikram Seth are my favs
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat Still we NEED Indian role models desperately. Indian LGBTS want to look up to ppl they can relate to...
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india Often jokes are meant to disparage. When non-LGBT confront bad jokes then it is much easier to come out.
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat As I asked in the piece, any desi takers? till then, we have to make do with foreign inspiration: Tim Cook, etc.
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india Many straight people have LGBT relatives or friends. You may be offending someone's son, daughter, sister, brother.
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat Of course! Just as its ok to make jokes about straight people and use terms like "breeders" about them!
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat I'll agree with Parmesh re:the role model. For me, Dan Savage and what he's done with the It Gets Better Project.
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india There are consequences for both. Intentionally offending colleagues may mean your company does not produce the next Watson 1/2
Forbes India : But seriously... #LGBTchat 3-part question coming up for all of you
Forbes India : #LGBTchat [1/3] Companies often say they don't want to know their employees' caste, ethnicity or religion.
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india or ipad or innovation that will keep your company a leader. Attrition is a big result of a non-inclusive culture. 2/2
Forbes India : #LGBTchat [2/3[ Their objective is equal employment and that can be achieved without knowing an employee's affiliation.
Forbes India : #LGBTchat [3/3] Why should it be different for homosexuality? Why is it the company's business to know?
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat re: gay jokes. Dostana is a great example of the positive effect of gay jokes as long as we avoid mean spiritedness.
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat It's not about the company's business to know. It's about the employees right to NOT have to hide it.
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat If we had a situation where an employee was terrified about talking about their religion - hugely objectionable too.
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india It is a double standard issue. Straight people come out all the time as heterosexual in work. 1/2
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india Strong relationships build good teams.It is difficult to build rapport when you have to hide 128 hours a week of your life.2/2
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat ha - well, how about not being able to show off a snap of your new girlfriend? That would hurt :)
Forbes India : #LGBTchat some quicl questions before we have to close
Forbes India : #LGBTchat Can Indian companies adopt more friendly LGBT policies that fit in with the societal framework they exist in? Yes/No?
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india Yes. It is a matter of expanding their existing inclusion policies.
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat well that's a utopian standpoint - inevitably the twain do meet. And it shouldn't be a point of discomfort.
Forbes India : #LGBTchat - anyone there?
Forbes India : (sorry, twitter lag. #LGBTchat)
Forbes India : #LGBTchat @parmeshs @dsheikh726 Do you see a role for Indian films in removing misconceptions?
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat I certainly see a role for them in creating space for conversations to be had about sexuality.
Forbes India : No takers for the movie query? #LGBTchat
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india This is one of the issues we will discuss at our forum in Bangalore and Mumbai http://t.co/ZPv71nP
Forbes India : Moving on. #LGBTchat React: There's so much else that needs to be done to make India a better place. Why should LGBT issues take priority?
Forbes India : #LGBTchat - dang. Twitter lag again.. sorry.
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat As long as the depiction isn't blatantly homophobic, I think we can excuse some level of stereotyping
Forbes India : (3 more quick questions and we'll wrap up #LGBTchat for the day)
Forbes India : #LGBTchat React: There's so much else that needs to be done to make India/the world a better place. Why should LGBT issues take priority?
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat Bollywood certainly has an imp role to play. So many gay friendly directors, ya! Lkg forward to Dostana 2.
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india It is part of a broader movement to create equity in the workplace in India & beyond.India is a major global corporate player.
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat (1/2) We of course can't pick and choose issues one at a time - and that's not what's being asked.
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat These are imp issues since they're about human rights + the chance to reimagine India as an inclusive space.
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india Films help to shape our culture for better or worse, so yes they can play a positive role in this issue.
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat Rather, we have to remember that everything is interconnected - and not give in to making a hierarchy of oppressions
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat LBGT issues in India as important as democracy, anti-corruption. What kind of future do we want? Just? Inclusive?
Forbes India : #LGBTchat - 3 light questions to wrap up, okay?
Forbes India : #LGBTchat What are the PC ways for non-LGBTs to refer to LGBTs? Queer was not okay, now it is. How does one keep track?
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india It is okay to ask. Everyone has their individual preference. Asking is the first part of the conversation.
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat we're usually fine if you stick to LGBT - When in doubt, the best policy is to ask :)
Forbes India : #LGBTchat For any or all of you: From a reader who asks for anonymity. ..
Forbes India : #LGBTchat I am asexual. Why must the LGBT community sexualise *everything*? Sex is such a small part of our lives.
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat The community doesn't necessarily sexualize everything - we create a space for difference to be accepted.
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat The term Queer has evolved to embrace everyone who doesn't strictly confine to the heterosexual-gender-binary.
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat "LBGT community" doesn't sexualize everything - mainstream media does!
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india Common misperception. LGBT in the workplace is not about sex. It is about trust, working relationships and not hiding. 1/2
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india #LGBTchat And for some of us darling, sex is a big part of our lives, gay, straight or otherwise. (#justsaying)
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india It is about being accepted as a colleague equally and ability to be productive without fear.
Forbes India : #LGBTchat - absolutely last question for today! Coming up..
Forbes India : #LGBTchat For any or all of you: From a reader who asks for anonymity and to be identified just as a language lover.
Forbes India : #LGBTchat May we have back the words 'gay' and 'queer' please?
Parmesh Shahani : @forbes_india Hanh. There's space for everyone yaar in this world. Asexual. Bsexual. Everyone's cool, everyone's normal. That's the point.
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india It was never taken away. As we evolve as a society we try to define our new experiences with different words.
Danish Sheikh : @forbes_india #LGBTchat We'll discuss that as soon as you give us back the words equality and dignity please?
Forbes India : Readers, followers, contact @TheDagobaGroup @dsheikh726 @parmeshs & @queerindia if you have any more queries!
Mason Donovan : @forbes_india It was a pleasure. Thank you for highlighting this important issue and continuing the discussion. http://t.co/m9xkEmi
Forbes India : Thank you, readers and followers. #LGBTchat was fun. We now go back to normal tweeting.