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The Glass Closet

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The Glass Closet

Why Coming Out Is Good Business

HarperBusiness,

15 min read
10 take-aways
Audio & text

What's inside?

John Browne, former CEO of BP, makes the case for LGBT openness at work.

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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Innovative
  • Applicable

Recommendation

Back in 2007, author John Browne, then CEO of BP, resigned after a British paper bought a story from a former boyfriend and outed him as gay. Rights for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) have since made important strides. Browne’s experience may almost seem to belong to another age. But, as he states clearly, equality for homosexuals is not a fact of life in the corporate world. Many LGBT people feel they still must guard their sexual orientation closely. With unique insight, Browne explains why discrimination – overt or covert – against LGBT employees hurts a firm’s bottom line. He shares LGBT workers’ stories, and presents strategies to prevent discrimination and foster inclusion. getAbstract recommends this thoughtful discussion of openness to executives, HR officials, LGBT people in the workforce, their colleagues and the people who care about them.

Summary

The Mail Changes a Life

John Browne, the closeted chief executive of BP, ended a secret relationship with a man named Jeff Chevalier in 2006. Afterward, the man sent him vaguely threatening emails. Browne had given Jeff money to help him out, but stopped and didn’t respond to his messages. In early 2007, Browne learned that a British newspaper, The Mail on Sunday, was about to print an exposé of his love life. Jeff was its source.

Browne attempted to suppress publication of the story in the courts, but was unsuccessful.The UK High Court lifted an injunction against the newspaper, and the Browne story went public. In the resulting media firestorm, Browne left BP. At the time, he was sure that hiding his homosexuality had been the correct course. Over time, he came to realize he had been wrong.

Growing up in a conservative time, Browne was never open about his sexual orientation. He divided his life between the “socially acceptable” and what he felt he could never reveal. If he encountered a gay colleague outside of the office, the two men would never mention the encounter at work.

Browne rose to the highest ranks of the oil business and...

About the Author

John Browne, CEO of BP for 12 years, works at Riverstone Holdings, a private equity firm, and has written a business memoir and a popular science book.

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