LGBTQ+ seafarers and the maritime industry
At Seafarers’ House San Juan we are making efforts to make the center a safer and more inclusive place for seafarers and the community we serve. For this reason, in 2019 the SHSJ team agreed to celebrate Pride Month in the month of June with the purpose of making LGBTQ+ seafarers who visit us feel seen and appreciated. It is our duty to educate ourselves and remain aware of the issues that encompass the LGBTQ+ community, especially LGBTQ+ seafarers.
First, it is important to know the history of how Pride Month came about; a month dedicated to celebrating and recognizing the existence and resistance of LGBTQ+ individuals. In 1969, the NYPD raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar where people rejected by their families found refuge and built a community. The police took it upon themselves to brutalize the people at the bar by aggressively arresting 13 people. This event started what is now known as The Stonewall Riots and is the origin of Pride Month. It is worth highlighting Marsha P. Johnson, a black and trans woman, who was a key person in The Stonewall Riots and in activism for the LGBTQ+ community. In the fallout of The Stonewall Riots, Johnson opened the first homeless LGBTQ+ shelter. Pride has been the space for LGBTQ+ people and allies to come together to march, rally, and show themselves to society. The first Pride event was in New York on June 28, 1970, with the purpose of commemorating the protests and resistance at The Stonewall Riots.
Eighty-one countries prohibit discrimination in employment because of sexual orientation, including: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. After some research, this article seeks to highlight discrimination against LGBTQ+ seafarers in the maritime industry. Although society has made some progress in terms of LGBTQ+ inclusion, it is still not the progress that LGBTQ+ people deserve. The maritime industry is one of the many workplaces where people from the community have suffered discrimination and violation of their human rights. The literature has shown that homophobia continues to persist in the maritime industry. There are seafarers who have reported that they choose to hide their sexual orientation or gender identity because of the fear of being fired from their job, experiencing some type of violence, or facing gender inequality. For this reason, few seafarers are open about their sexual orientation. Some people believe that a person's sexual orientation or gender identity should be separated from the workplace, however, this is a misconception. For people in the LGBTQ+ community, their sexual orientation and gender identity is an important element that influences their surroundings.
Display for Pride Month 2022 at Seafarers’ House San Juan in Puerto Rico.
Another issue that cannot be overlooked when discussing the challenges that the LGBTQ+ community faces is "rainbow capitalism". This is considered as the process where some companies show their support or alliance with the LGBTQ+ community with the purpose of acquiring profits through the exploitation and appropriation of the community. Through rainbow capitalism, workers, such as seafarers, will not be assured safe and dignified working conditions. Rather, it is through solidarity that we can achieve equality for workers in the LGBTQ+ community.
Despite the obstacles faced by seafarers in the LGBTQ+ community, there are a few who have tried to maintain their essence. After conducting research, it is revealed that there is a term among the seafarers of the LGBTQ+ community on board ships. Among themselves they call each other "sea fairies". At SHSJ we seek to encourage and sustain a space of respect and acceptance. Sea fairies are always welcome in our center! Work in the maritime industry is not specifically for cis heteronormative men, it is for all people who wish to work in the maritime industry regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Employers in the maritime industry must also adopt a more accepting and respectful stance towards their employees so that fewer LGBTQ+ people feel comfortable expressing their true selves without fear of losing their jobs or facing any form of discrimination. We would like to extend an invitation for you to stop by our center for any situation or questions.
References
Global celebration of diversity and inclusion urges seafarers to speak up on discrimination. (n.d.). Retrieved June 20, 2022, from https://www.nautilusint.org/en/news-insight/news/global-celebration-of-diversity-and-inclusion-urges-seafarers-to-speak-up-on-discrimination/
Hanquier, Z., Railton, B., & Nir, S. M. (2020, July 17). Pride's Proud History: Remembering Marsha P. Johnson. The Saturday Evening Post. Retrieved June 20, 2022, from https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2020/06/prides-proud-history-remembering-marsha-p-johnson/
Lagniton, L. (2022, May 18). Stop discriminating against gay seafarers. Maritime Fairtrade. Retrieved June 20, 2022, from https://maritimefairtrade.org/stop-discriminating-against-gay-seafarers/
LGBT+ Transport Workers Need Solidarity, not 'rainbow capitalism'. ITF Seafarers. (2022, May 26). Retrieved June 20, 2022, from https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/lgbt-transport-workers-need-solidarity-not-rainbow-capitalism
LGBTQ+ workplace issues (quick take). Catalyst. (2022, June 14). Retrieved June 20, 2022, from https://www.catalyst.org/research/lgbtq-workplace-issues/