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Gay men in the police: identity disclosure and management issues
Author(s) -
Rumens Nick,
Broomfield John
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
human resource management journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.44
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1748-8583
pISSN - 0954-5395
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-8583.2011.00179.x
Subject(s) - lesbian , identity (music) , human sexuality , limiting , identity management , construct (python library) , masculinity , work (physics) , public relations , sociology , psychology , gender studies , political science , law , engineering , authentication (law) , programming language , mechanical engineering , physics , acoustics , computer science
Updating the paucity of UK research on lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) sexualities in the police, this study examines the identity disclosure and management practices of 20 gay police officers. Drawing on in‐depth interview data, our key finding is that gay police officers generally do not expect to be stigmatised but anticipate and experience positive disclosure experiences. Overall, the research reveals that gay officers actively seek to construct disclosure opportunities and adopt strategies of identity integration. Significantly, gay police identities can be managed openly and valued as organisational assets. Gendered organisational norms are influential here, shaping how and to whom participants disclose and manage their gay identities. Of concern then is that some police work environments continue to reinforce traditional notions of masculinity, potentially discrediting and limiting the integration of gay officers. This represents important knowledge for those HRM practitioners who advise and support LGB police personnel.