Passing in Corporate India: Problematizing Disclosure of Homosexuality at the Workplace

Abstract

This chapter draws from a qualitative study, comprising of interviews with 14 gay professionals in India, to theorize passing as an ongoing communicative practice capable of actively resisting and speaking back to dominant structures of heteronormativity and hypermasculinity at the workplace. Using the constant comparative approach, we trace the contextual particularities that instigate passing, the strategies used to pass, and the unfolding socialization practices with coworkers as a result. Five communicative strategies of passing are noted—distanciation, concealment, reframing via non-stigmatic attributes, appropriating lesser stigmas, and partitioning. Moreover, a number of tactics were used to speak back to heteronormativity and homophobia from within the (partial) closet, such as speaking forcefully, promoting discussion, protesting bigotry of all kinds, pushing for institutional change, and silence. We close by discussing directions for future research, especially tracing the potential of passing for building resilience among gay and lesbian workers.