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| English: Canvass for a Cause field organizers working on the ground in Maryland to build support for the upcoming initiative to Legalize marriage equality. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Though I am proudly and unabashedly conservative, there are certain areas of my life where I do not wear my conservatism on sleeve. For instance, I do not broadcast my political views in the office place for all the world to see. That is not to say that if it comes up in conversation with a coworker that I won't express my leanings, but I do not go out of my way to express those views. There are some places where I just don't feel it's appropriate.
Most of the places that I have worked have more or less had a policy in place that basically instructed employees not to discuss political issues. As the old saying goes, there are two things you don't want to discuss in polite company, politics and religion. I think it is probably a wise policy to have in place as it can help to keep the peace.
So, it has surprised me to see one particular individual boldly showing her support for a political issue, and a controversial one at that. On a regular basis, she wears a button urging people to "Vote for Marriage Equality" in support of ballot question 6 on Maryland's ballot on whether or not the state should allow same sex marriage.
Maybe it's just me, but that doesn't seem to me to be appropriate to be wearing in an office setting. It isn't the subject matter of the button that bothers me. It just doesn't seem professional to me. I would have no problem with her sporting a bumper sticker on her car or campaigning for her cause outside of the office. One should be involved in causes they believe in.
It would probably be inappropriate of me to make a comment about how her appearance matches the stereotypical look of a butch lesbian but I won't go there. Oops, I just did. Seriously though, I am not sure how I will vote on this particular issue. I don't have strong feelings either way, though I might be leaning a bit one side based on this post.
In all seriousness though, do you think it is appropriate to wear any type of political button/statement in the work place? I wouldn't wear a button or have a plaque on my desk promoting the Romney/Ryan ticket. Nor would I express my support or opposition to a ballot initiative like Question 6 here in Maryland. Now, if we could have another Ronald Reagan, that would be another matter entirely.
