Out at Work: Lesbians and Gay Men on the Job

In 1991 Cheryl Summerville, a cook in a suburban Atlanta restaurant, received a termination paper stating that she was fired for "failing to demonstrate normal heterosexual values." She was shocked to discover that in 47 American states, including her own, it was legal to fire workers simply for being homosexual.

OUT AT WORK chronicles the dramatic stories of three gay workers over the course of five years: Cheryl Summerville, Detroit auto worker Ron Woods, and New York Public Library clerk Nat Keitt. It follows them at home, at work and through their collective fight to secure workplace safety, job security and employee benefits for gay and lesbian workers.

The film also illustrates the struggles of heterosexual co-workers to deal with, and ultimately support, their gay and lesbian peers. In a moving, profound and entertaining style, OUT AT WORK raises critical issues about workplace rights, the role of legislation and labor unions and, ultimately, human rights for all.

Produced and Directed by Kelly Anderson
and Tami Gold
1997, 56 minutes, color, 16mm/video

“OUT AT WORK is the single most important organizing tool we have had for our educational work within workplaces and labor unions.”

KipuKai Kuali'I, Co-President, Pride at Work, AFL-CIO