How do you respond to this?

“It’s not a problem here/we’re not homophobic, why do you need an LGBT network?”

Not a valid argument, but maybe a valid question with a valid answer.

If a workplace doesn't have a problem with homophobia, why should it have a LGBT network?

Because most of the world does have a problem with it, so its good to show people that their workplace is a welcoming place for LGBT people. Without such a network, or other overt signs of open-mindedness, it's likely that some LGBT employees will just assume their workplace is a relatively hostile place like the rest of the world, where they may feel uncomfortable talking about their spouses and LGBT issues.

LGBT workers may need additional support because of issues outside the workplace. There's no reason why a workplace network can't help fulfill that need.

Really though, I highly doubt there is many legitimately problem-free workplaces; more likely, being cis straight people, they're just not aware of them.

"And since you're not homophobic, you shouldn't have a problem with us having an LGBT network, right?"

"But why do we need one?"

"Because you have to ask."

I don't think everyone who asks questions like that is necessarily homophobic, but I think it shows heterosexist thinking and lack of understanding of why people in minority groups often need or value support like this.

And occasionally, questions like these do seem to stem from covert homophobia. It's like when people say, "Why don't we have a white history month?" A lot of times, I get the sense that people who ask that question really are racist.

But I also think that a lot of people, often innocently, vastly underestimate the amount of prejudice that still exists in the world. They see women holding full-time jobs and working in the government and don't realize that there's still sexism. They see gay characters on TV and assume that being gay is no big deal anymore.

I like kuwisdelu's response. I'm not sure what else I would say to a remark like this, without going into a long spiel. I think I would say that the company's willingness to support its LGBT employees in this way helps show its commitment to diversity, which will make many LGBT employees (and prospective employees) feel more comfortable. Many of us enter new jobs concerned about how out we will be able to be. I would say that even if anti-LGBT discrimination may not be a big problem at this company, it's still something that's been a constant presence in some of our lives, having professional networks is valuable.

DancingMaenid said:

And occasionally, questions like these do seem to stem from covert homophobia. It's like when people say, "Why don't we have a white history month?" A lot of times, I get the sense that people who ask that question really are racist.

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I do too. I do know one person who actually just seems to be that ignorant, and I have tried to educate this person. I am not even going to describe the person, even with gender-specific pronouns, because in this case I don't believe it to be racism, just sad.

Because there are issues around wills, dating, wedding planning, child care, churches, health insurance, buying a house, adoption and many others that don't affect hetero couples or individuals the same way, and finding resources and sharing them is efficient and helpful, as is support from people who have already gone thorough the thing you're currently struggling with.

I would suggest allowing non-queer folk to join as allies, for a number of reasons, including avoiding being sued. Moreover, they may have family members that could use their support, or professional expertise that could be helpful.

And who doesn't want more allies/friends?

Yeah, I'm with kuwisdelu: If it's not a problem in the workplace, then having a network shouldn't be a problem there either.

As for the need, as Medievalist put it, LGBT people live a different experience than others, and the idea of a network of people who share similar experiences and knowledge only makes sense.

It is definitely a different experience for me having a (not legal) wife and son to realize just how many obstacles we have overcome just to be where we are. The adoption of my son by my wife, especially. And then getting random questions about how we all have the same last name from strangers such as hospital receptionists, and deciding how much to reveal about my life, if anything, and getting looks from people who are confused by our family unit and are trying to figure it out. Fun!

My state has legal marriage. My wife went into hospital via the emergency room a few weeks ago and was utterly unable to even communicate for a day or be rationally coherent for another day and was still tracking just a bit off by the time she was discharged.

All through that, not one single person questioned my right to make medical decisions for her. I did not have to go home and dig up our legal medical power of attorney. (Though they did ask her at the emergency room admissions desk to OK the hospital sharing info with me per HIPAA regulations. Which they would have done with any married couple. She muttered OK but she was muttering OK to everything at that point and I can't call it an informed consent. )

So yeah the hospital and my state for making that just as "easy" for me as for a heterosexual couple.

But there are far, far, too many hospitals that do not do that. I'd have hated to try to navigate those nightmare hours if the hospital was trying to get consent from her daughter half a continent away!

Muppster said:

Not exactly a writing-related question (but it’s bugging me while I should be writing ). Work’s had a diversity drive and started an LGBT network, and in response lunchtime conversation went down this sort of path:

“It’s not a problem here/we’re not homophobic, why do you need an LGBT network?”

Is that ever a valid argument?

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Just wanted to add to the 'not a valid argument side': maybe there is no problem at your workplace - how is a new employee to know that? Maybe the problems aren't at work, but for many people work is a handy place to find resources, info and, yes, a network.
And seconding: if it's not a problem, why not have an LGBT network? If no-one uses it, well, revisit it, but give it a chance to be useful.

In defence of your co-workers - what is your company like? If this came from some sort of 'diversity drive' maybe they aren't seeing this as a real thing, but as one of several half-baked ideas that's being implemented because someone was at a seminar and has returned to inflict the idea-of-the-week on the hapless employees. It may not be the idea they're objecting to, but the source.

I'm confused about how this would even affect your coworkers to the point of questioning its existence. If I'm understanding what you mean by LGBT network, I can't see it as having any impact whatsoever on anyone but LBGTs--and anyone aggressively homophobic, which they're claiming not to be.