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Vote on Desiree Davidson's Story
Were they afraid we were planning a coup d'etat?
I spent my first summer during Columbia Law School at a firm in Philadelphia described as one of the best places in the city for black lawyers. I believed that if there was any place where I would have an equal chance at opportunities, be treated fairly and succeed, this would be it. There were three black female summer associates out of sixty that year but any time all three of us were in an office talking, one of the partners would knock on the door to see how we were doing. It happened too often to be a coincidence that sometimes we would purposely agree to meet in so-and-so's office to test our theory that we were being monitored. Like clock work, ten minutes after we would get together a partner would stop by.
Working in Corporate America as a Black, gay man with AIDS feels like fighting a war I can't see
- Workplace Unfairness
- Male
- African-American
- Gay
- Considering Leaving
- Discrimination
- Insensitivity
- Lost Privacy
- Medical Leave
I lost my corporate job while I was in the Hospital in 1995 being treated for AIDS. My Company was in a process of down-sizing, however I was informed that they were going to keep me. My boss was aware of my illness, but that I performed my job. During a hospital stay that I had, my doctor told me that my company was attempting to obtain information on my health. Once I returned to my job, I was sent to HR to discuss my options. My benefits wouldn't take affect for 90 days, which meant that if a got sick, I would not be covered. Once I got back to my office my boss told me "DON"T TOUCH THE COMPUTER. We are going to change your job duties." So I went back to the office one of my co-worker who told me to get a lawyer because the company was setting me up to fire me. I was so hurt because of the time I had already dedicated to the job; my loyalty to this firm was a waste. When I got a lawyer, I told him that my insurance informed the company that I had contracted AIDS. After conducting research, I discovered that the company has a special code to ID and health related issues. It was a battle fighting this issue. My case is setting out of court.