Identity In The Workplace: A Case Study

Identity played an important role in the movements goals being reached. The goals of the movement, here being the granting of domestic partner benefits within the workplace which were challenging of the larger culture. The larger culture was against this policy which was reinforced by many anti-gay movements and legislations. The collective use of identity was used as a strategy in recruitment here. Social movements used this collective identity to effect cultural and structural change within corporations (Raeburn 190). By this meaning it effected how corporations were structured in only giving benefits to heterosexuals. In terms of cultural change within corporations it raised awareness of gays and lesbians, adopting a “diversity” notion.
This identity was formed …show more content…
They used “personal narratives” as Raeburn terms as an effective strategy. This narrative is used to get heterosexual employees, or any individuals to understand the struggles of homosexual individuals. To understand what it is like to walk in their shoes. By using this strategy, it appeals to emotions, invoking empathy in those hearing the stories. The framing of identity here gets people to understand why gay employee groups are pushing for domestic partner benefits. They do this for example by bringing up the heterosexual’s loss of their wife/husband and how they need time off to grieve or healthcare for their loved one and how this is denied for homosexuals with their partners. These activists frame the issue to resonate at home with the heterosexual individuals. By using this strategy, of emotion and personal narratives they create committed allies which help the movement mobilize as well as get elites to adopt gay inclusive policies (Raeburn 198). These “punctuating experiences” as Raeburn terms are what encourage people to join the movement and make them want to do something about these experiences being highlighted. The gay employee