Equality and Diversity.

[davim19]

The college (Sixth Form) I work at is having an "Equality and Diversity" week to help students and staff understand the wide range of cultures, nationalities and people that study and work there (we have 17 different nationalities from 6 continents). Thinking this would be the perfect oppurtunity to gain recognition for my kilt wearing, I approached HR for permissin to wear them for this week as a taster. She was actually very accepting, after asking "the question" (stock answer, " nothings worn...." cue blushing from her) one proviso was made, wearing something under the kilt at work (child protection).

So far I have had a lot of positive feedback from the students and many of the staff. I've only had two malicious comments, both by colleagues. First of all one of our students support team proclaimed loudly that tranvestitism was a disgusting sign of a disturbed person. Secondly, I had colleague insist on referring to it as a skirt and being quite offensive about the whole concept of kilted men. I haven't pushed these incidents to complaint, wish I had though, but I now know who my real colleagues are. Those that smiled told me that I looked good and congratulated me on being comfortable enough in myself to do this.

[Jimmy]

Seems that some people do not understand the concept of Equality and Diversity or is it that they struggle to pay compliments to someone looking good, bit of envy here perhaps

[Barry]

Excellent grasping of an opportunity davim19. I'm glad to hear that the experience was generally positive.
As to the two "bad mouthers" ; you did not indicate their sex, and if female if they were wearing trousers. Whatever, if you were a woman wearing trousers these sort of comments would certainly qualify for an official reprimand as sexual harassment. Maybe you would like to recommend them to HR for "diversity training" as happened last year to firefighters who had problems accepting gay men.
Perhaps ignoring these two is best - take the moral high ground!

[McGurk]

Seems that some people do not understand the concept of Equality and Diversity or is it that they struggle to pay compliments to someone looking good, bit of envy here perhaps

I think thats true, envy of a good looking outfit, and envy of the courage to wear it.

Our company is big on equality and diversity, so the architecture team are using this to our benifit and we're arranging a list of cultural evenings, such as a curry night by our Malaysian architect, a sausage a beer night by the german. Naturaly I'm thinking of something Typicaly from the UK, so next year, I might be hosting a burns supper for my collegues. I do intend to wear a kilt on these days, however, I shall not be regimental. The stairs in the office have lovely marble treads, but no risers between them, you can see nearly straight up through them!!

[McNulty]

There are times to be silent and there are times to "let fly the dogs of hell". Why lower yourself to the level of those who bad mouth what you wear. I just nod my head in those situations and know that I am not only better than them, but way better. Unless they keep bringing it up, the feedback has been positive so far, let them live their lives in their own predjudiced world. Wear the kilt!
Nulty

[Warlock]

Don't let the idiots get you down. You can't fix STUPID!

[McMurdo]

Good for you, to tell you the truth, everything sounds about normal. As a full time kilt wearer I have had to deal with people who just do not get it. If any of them were to make disparaging comments and continue in their mission to demean me, rest assured my manager and the HR dept. would hear about it.

[James MacMillan]

It must be the way that I wear my kilt? But yesterday, while I was working the polls for Super Tuesday at my Lodge, I only got one comment from an individual that wanted to know what the tartan was. I think that if you wear the kilt with style and confidenace most all the reactions will be positive.

[davedove]

Seems that some people do not understand the concept of Equality and Diversity

Unfortunately, there are way too many people in this world who only embrace diversity if it's THEIR definition of diversity, which typically isn't very diverse at all.

[mbhandy]

The college (Sixth Form) First of all one of our students support team proclaimed loudly that tranvestitism was a disgusting sign of a disturbed person. I haven't pushed these incidents to complaint, wish I had though, but I now know who my real colleagues are. Those that smiled told me that I looked good and congratulated me on being comfortable enough in myself to do this.

That comment came from some one on the Support team? Not to good on the SUPPORT? Like you said, Now you know who to take advice from.

MrBill