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Just wanted to share with you all a story about what has happened to me over the last few months.
I had been working for Toyota Motor Co. until three weeks ago. My boss, for lack of a better word, was a redneck. Everyday I went to work, it was like going to a Klu Klux Klan rally.
Everday, Chris (my boss) would espouse the virtue of slavery, the evil of Jews, and how Abraham Lincoln ruined the country. He railed against children, liberal politics, and especially homosexuals. It was more than I could bear to hear. I began to wear headphones and listen to music to drown out the hate that was around me everyday. He even had a tendency to hire others who shared his views. This meant hearing the words, fag, queer, fairy, cocksucker, and so on many times in one day.
About three months ago, he hired a guy who had seen a rainbow flag on my car a few years ago. After that, aside from being called a fag directly, he began to publicly humiliate me. I was teaching new employees at the time, that was put to an end. Then when I took a sick day, de announced to the entire staff "looks like the aids-ridden fag is off sick". When I took a vacation "he's out in Chicago to get slamed in the ass for the week".
I apologize for the graphic language. I just think it's important to give you a feel for what it was like.
After that, he would harass anyone who talked to me, or any of my friends. Because of this, i was isolated and alone.
Because I was a contract employee, their is no protection in this country, and even laws in Michigan that make what he did leagal. But in the interest of fairness to Toyota, I went to his boss, a woman, and told her about the harrassement. Four others also told her what he was like.
Unfortunately, she decided that it was more important to stop this flow of information, than doing anything about the source of the harrasement.
As a result, I and six of my friends were fired three weeks ago (the official reason was lack of work, but most of the people were far more qualified than some that are still there with less seniority). This is an injustice. I will fight back, but the law is not on my side. I wont be buying a Toyota anytime soon. I will sue in civil court. I will let you all know how it goes.
Please, Please, Please, fight back anytime you see this kind of thing. Otherwise, more people will have to go through the same thing. I just couldn't stand that.
Kevin
"Be excellent to each other, and, party on dudes"!
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tim
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Really getting into it |
Location: UK, West of London in Ber...
Registered: February 2002
Messages: 842
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I will let you consder your action before we start any sort of campaign of full worldwide awareness over this. This is most important since any such campaign could eitehr or both of prejudice your claim against them or give rise to a legal action agaisnt you.
KNOW that you are supported. This does not, i am afraid, create cash to love off, but it may go a little way to easing the feelinsg inside you
I must say I feel that senior Japanese management should become aware of this, and that I have a feleing that Lance may be able to advise you on a helpful route to pursue an anti discrimination case.
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mihangel
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Likes it here |
Location: UK
Registered: July 2002
Messages: 192
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Kevin, that is a tale that sends shivers down the spine. Tim of course is right about playing your cards carefully; but know that you have all our moral support and sympathy. If and when it's right to throw that support more publicly behind you, I for one will do so.
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I'm really, truly shocked by this outrage!
Not only that it could go on as long as it did without anyone from upper management taking notice, but also that the problem was "solved" the way it was, thus opening the company up for loads of negative PR and lawsuits.
Let the media bloodhounds loose on these bastards, please!
*Hugs*
-Lenny
"But he that hath the steerage of my course,
direct my sail."
-William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act One, Scene IV
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I have mentioned about 10% of the abuse. According to current Michigan law, I don't believe I can bring any criminal action against my boss, or Toyota. However, their is a local anti-discrimination statute that I believe may apply in a civil case. I need to fight this, I have to stand up for anyone who may come after me.
I am not sure about the implication of public action. But I already know it will be very hard for me to work in my field after this anyway. Everyone in my line of work knows most everyone else. Word already got around anyway in my biz.
I may ask you guys for help if i do go public. It's kida scary though.
Again, thanks so much for your support, you guys have no idea how much it helps me.
Huge hugs
Kevin
"Be excellent to each other, and, party on dudes"!
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e
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On fire! |
Location: currently So Cal
Registered: May 2002
Messages: 1179
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It is so shocking that such a blatant display of harassment can be made in the workplace in this day and age and then be supported by management. Yet it is so easy to believe.
Think good thoughts,
e
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Guest
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On fire! |
Registered: March 2012
Messages: 2344
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kevin any and all support you need from me please let me know. i have some on line connections that LOVE to write emails and send a few thousand copies to hotels and companies that pull this kind of crap.
if you decide to go after them follow up on the media idea that was mentioned, they love this kind of stuff.
peace
tim...of USA
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I really appreciate that. I will let you know how its goin.
"Be excellent to each other, and, party on dudes"!
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Guest
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On fire! |
Registered: March 2012
Messages: 2344
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Kevin,
Here's the person to contact in Michigan for ANY gay rights issue.
sean@tri.org
Sean Kosofsky of the Tiangle Foundation.
I've worked with him before when Michigan high school students from Hillsdale had death threats made against them at school and their principal and teachers did nothing.
Unfortunately, in many states it is perfectly legal to fire someone simply because they are gay. And Toyota does not have an anti-discrimination policy either (according to my corporate information (updated last on July 2, 2002.)
But the Triangle will know EVERYTHING about gay employee rights in Michigan including specific local non-discrimination laws everywhere in Michigan.
With permission from you, Triangle may also contact employers, or other agencies to seek resolution to a problem that is not being addressed by law enforcement or union representation.
Triangle, with your permission, will sometimes notify the media about certain anti-glbt incidents. This focuses public attention to the threats that exist for glbt people and exerts pressure on communities, law enforcement officials, and policy makers to address the situation.
I strongly suggest you e-mail Sean or contact Triangle ASAP:
Triangle Foundation
19641 West Seven Mile
Detroit, Michigan 48219
313-537-3323
313-537-3379 fax
1-877-7-TRIANGLE
also this may be of general assistance - maybe not, you might want to check out
http://www.gaylawnet.com/ for gay and gay friendly attorneys in your area.
If you find that a local law was violated, don't hesitate to contact the ACLU.
Now - if you will, send me an e-mail - give me the name(s) of the boss who should have been in the Klan(and very well may be), plus the others who agreed with him, any location information - where the toyota factory is, nearby towns, etc. Names and places, etc.
He can meet some very outgoing "faggot" friends of mine either now or in the future after your civil case. We LOVE to meet new people and have a friendly cultural exchange of ideas on equality.
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Thanks Lance!
I know Sean personally. I had spoken with him before about this. But that was some time ago. I don't know why I didn't think to call him now. I will also use the other link you gave me to find help.
I need to fight this, for my own sanity. Thanks alot and I will let you know how things go as time goes by.
Thank you all, you are all so supportive I am kinda overwhelmed. Everone should have friends like this, the world would be a better place.
Kevin
"Be excellent to each other, and, party on dudes"!
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Steve
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Really getting into it |
Location: London, England
Registered: November 2006
Messages: 465
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Kevin, I can't help you practically as Lance has, but please know that my heart is with you. I have never been to USA so I don't know how things are done there. Here, this would become a mega media event and the glbt association would make it a cause celebre that would be a nightmare for the company concerned. Tim is right: only you can carefully consider what to do. In the meantime, all your friends and wellwishers on this board are with you.
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I do not agree with discrimination of any sort, and feel that it is time to root such acts out of the United States, to truly apply the Bill of Rights to each individual. But I have little experience in campaigns such as this. I am willing to help any way I can, so just let me know what I can do.
Is this something the HRC can get involved with? I get their newsletter all the time, and they seem to talk about situations like this often.
You have my support, token as it is at this time.
Hugs, Charlie
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I cannot find appropriate words to let you all know how much your support means. I have felt so alone on this issue for the last 9 months.
For a while, I thought this was killing me literally. I finally had sought counseling for anxiety attacks. For a while I could not even sleep (one stretch lasted four days).
Other than my lawyer who has not returned my calls for the last three weeks, I thought I was on my own. Many many days over these last nine months, I felt like no one would help me ..... BOY WAS I WRONG!
I may go public with this, I will have to decide that with a new attorney. I know now that I have alot of help and support if I do. You guys are the best. You have lifted my spirit and gave me a new found will to fight.
And fight I will!!!!
"Be excellent to each other, and, party on dudes"!
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Guest
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On fire! |
Registered: March 2012
Messages: 2344
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First, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Please do let us know how it is going so we can continue that, and let us know if we can do anything else.
I'm no lawyer and far from Michigan, but general harrassment or possibly stalking laws may be applicable - that is, not workplace/HR laws at all. It may be tough to make charges stick if it wasn't repeatedly reported and escalated with management along the way, however. (No worries, K?)
In your spare time, document everything you can think of - times, places, who you spoke to, witnesses, etc. Doctor's appointments, sleepless nights, vacations, SPECIFIC things that were said, anything you can thank of that might be related. Who was/was not fired, how long they'd been there, etc. If this goes to court, it may drag on awhile and your memory may fail you. If nothing else, maybe you can at least get the bastard fired and publicly humiliated on the racist and other grounds - sounds like he probably was violating SOME laws, if not directly applicable to you.
Wrongful termination laws vary widely between states - in my state anyone can be fired anytime for any reason or no reason at all, unless it was "wrongful."
Was this a union job by any chance? Any lawyer should ask the same, but if you end up not using a lawyer for everything/anything, a relevant union should help, possibly with publicity if nothing else?
If possible, get a copy of your personnel file. There MAY be copies of your complaints, dates/times, what was done by managment (nothing!) and that may be some of the detail you need to help build your case.
Like I said, I know very little about this, so take it with a grain of salt!
Most of all, take care of yourself. Sorry this shit had to go on so long.
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e
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On fire! |
Location: currently So Cal
Registered: May 2002
Messages: 1179
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I'm not much on the legal stuff with all this, but you can have my emotional support anytime you need it. Feel free to send an email if you like.
Think good thoughts,
e
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Thanks Trevor,
I had been documenting most of the main things as they happened. I will not go after wrongful dismissal. I will however, contend that my boss created a hostile enviroment that continued aven after his bosses were informed of the situation.
Again thanks,
Kevin
"Be excellent to each other, and, party on dudes"!
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I'm only an email away if you want/need to talk to someone!
Feel free to use/abuse me as you wish, I've had much the same feelings as you in the VERY recent past (and may still do so deep down, I'm not sure).
So here's a friendly pat on the back and a hug. I'm there for you if you need me.
Take care Kevin!
-Lenny
"But he that hath the steerage of my course,
direct my sail."
-William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act One, Scene IV
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Michael Simon
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Toe is in the water |
Registered: January 1970
Messages: 92
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..and strength as that is really needed. Even if some things ar enot worthy to die for but some things serve a purpose that is of greater reach than we think it is: -)
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What can I do to help? 
You all have broken me 
kEVIN... (Ooops! Darn capslock, heheh!) 
