Being An "Out"sider in the Workplace: Managing the Mental & Emotional Intersections of Neurodivergence and Queerness

Presented as a Virtual Coffee Chat for the American Association of Law Libraries on August 16, 2022, from 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm CDT.

Abstract

Do you always feel like a weirdo who stands out like a sore thumb - be it your identity, your social and emotional skills, or some combination that leaves you feeling "different"? Do you feel like you are perpetually hiding your true self from coworkers? As you begin to get more comfortable coming out about many aspects of yourself in a professional environment (like sharing an ADHD diagnosis) you may struggle with what and how much is appropriate to reveal and communicate or not. Then there may inevitably be a cascading issue of how to manage the added stress of mental and emotional labor involved in setting and keeping boundaries within your personal comfort level. Join us for an informal conversation, co-moderated by Amanda Watson, Katy Stein (University of Houston) and Rachel Evans (University of Georgia) as we discuss the pros and cons of sharing more about your identity in the workplace while navigating these often interrelated topics.

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