At work, the corporate culture is what matters
For Jimmy Chen from Beijing, it's quite normal for him to talk about his homosexuality with his colleagues, who don't think it a big deal.
He works at IBM and told his manager about his sexual preferences in 2007, after being inspired by the company's positive policy toward the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) group.
"It's necessary to come out to my co-workers because I want to share my life with them," Chen says. "Once I've come clean, I can be myself. I feel more self-confident and braver. It even affected how I approach things. For example, when I don't agree with my boss, I now dare to speak my mind."
He started his career in a State-owned enterprise in Beijing 10 years ago, but decided to join an international corporation after four years, because he felt the latter would have a more open environment for LGBT.
Like Chen, more young LGBTs choose to come out because of the friendly environment at their offices, and increasing public awareness and acceptance.
Another young lady, who wants to be known as Xiao Xing, works in a media company in Fujian province. She told her colleagues about her homosexuality in 2008.
"I rarely conceal my sexual preference. You can see that I dress up like a typical lesbian, in a unisex style.
"Once, a colleague asked me whether I was lesbian, I was awkward for a few seconds and then, I admitted it. All my colleagues accept me," she says.
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