THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS OF INDIVIDUALS ON THEIR PROFESSIONAL LIVES

Individuals with different sexual orientations may face various problems in society because of their sexual orientation or gender at birth. This includes individuals who classify themselves as "LGBTI+Q", i.e. "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersexual and queer". The aim of this study is to examine the impact of individuals' sexual orientation on their professional lives. In this study, which is based on the phenomenological design of qualitative research, a total of 15 participants (8 gay, 4 transsexual, 2 bisexual, 1 lesbian) were selected by snowball sampling method. In the survey, 6 personal information forms prepared by the researcher and 4 semi-structured interview questions were used. Semi-structured interview questions were interviewed with each participant for 30 minutes via video conferencing method over online (Zoom programme). The data were analysed by content and analysis methods. In order to ensure the reliability of the study, themes were identified in the process of analysing the data subjected to content analysis, and each theme was first divided into codes and then into categories and analysed within itself. The responses of 15 LGBTI+Q individuals participating in the survey regarding the effects of their sexual orientation on their professional lives were grouped under 4 themes, 21 codes and 8 categories. Each of the four themes was further divided into two different categories. According to the survey results, it was determined that sexual orientation affects career choice positively and negatively, sexual orientation can be revealed/hidden in business life, sexual orientation affects professional performance, and various problems may arise in terms of overlapping sexual orientation and career goals.