Workers' decisions to discuss their own stigmatized identities, relationships, and behaviors

What is it about?

This piece introduces a series of six short essays that all use the metaphor of "the closet"--an idea from queer theory and activism. Though not yet used in scholarship on work and organizations, the metaphor draws attention to how people may conceal and/or reveal parts of themselves as they seek, retain, and advance in their jobs. Moreover, and in keeping with interpersonal communication research, the forum essays show how those processes of concealment and revelation are part of the organization, not the decision of individuals.

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Why is it important?

Queer theory is on the periphery of scholarship on work, jobs, and organizations, and this forum helps bring it closer to the center. The essay is the first ever in this journal to have the word "queer" in the title, abstract, or keywords. The closet metaphor can help to develop more intersectional work on stigma, disclosure, and normativaty at work. Individual essays focus on transgender job seekers, workers with nontraditional family and relationship configurations, racial identity, immigration status, and non-drinking identities. The introduction also invites critical organizational scholarship and critical interpersonal scholarship into conversation.