title: "There aren't any gays here": encountering heteroprofessionalism in an international development workplace.
abstract: Western-oriented workplaces use professionalism as a normative value to sustain and promote a cohesive work environment. Yet, through this qualitative study, the author points out some implications of using professionalism to manage staff relationships and behaviors. Using post-conflict Kosovo as the context, the author examined (a) the work experiences of 8 gay male aid workers and (b) the attitudes toward homosexuality of foreign staff members in 2 international aid agencies. The author introduces and suggests heteroprofessionalism as a root to homophobic and heterosexist behaviors present in the study. Heteroprofessionalism is defined as a professional value that screens out homosexuality.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Educational Administration, Foundations, and Psychology, Faculty of Education , University of Manitoba , Winnipeg , Manitoba , Canada.
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Mizzi
mesh_terms: D001290:Attitude; D063509:Homophobia / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007390:International Agencies / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D063826:Kosovo; D008297:Male; D015279:Organizational Culture; D010559:Personnel Management / Q000379:methods; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data