Brian McNaught

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Brian McNaught
Born (1948-01-28) January 28, 1948 (age 76)
Occupation(s)Diversity and sensitivity coach and author

Brian McNaught (born January 28, 1948) is a corporate diversity and sensitivity coach and author who specializes in LGBT issues in the workplace.[1][2][3]

Early life and education[edit]

A conscientious objector to the war in Vietnam, McNaught did his alternative service at The Michigan Catholic, weekly newspaper of the Archdiocese of Detroit, where he worked as a writer and columnist from 1970 to 1974. In 1974, McNaught founded the Detroit chapter of Dignity, the national gay Catholic organization. When he came out in an article on Dignity in The Detroit News, the diocesan newspaper dropped his column.[4] McNaught went on a water fast, which lasted 17 days, ending with a letter of support from Bishop Thomas Gumbleton. Following the fast, McNaught was fired by the newspaper, resulting in a civil rights suit, which was settled out of court.[5]

Life and career[edit]

From 1974 to 1986, McNaught wrote a syndicated column in the gay press, entitled, "A Disturbed Peace." Following Anita Bryant's successful campaign to overturn gay rights protections in Dade County, Florida, McNaught wrote the essay, "Dear Anita, Late Night Thoughts of an Irish Catholic Homosexual." Initially published by Impact magazine out of Syracuse University, the essay was widely republished, resulting in McNaught appearing on "To the Point," a Miami talk show on which he debated the head of Anita Bryant Ministry's conversion program.

From 1982 to 1984, McNaught served as the mayor of Boston's Liaison to the Gay Community, the first such full time position in the country. With the permission of Mayor Kevin White, McNaught created the first city task force on AIDS. That task force influenced the screening process instituted by the American Red Cross.[6]

McNaught became a speaker and trainer on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues in the workplace, acting as a consultant to companies and discussion moderator.[7][8][9][10]

McNaught has written four books, which offer advice for LGBT individuals and employers on dealing with the challenges faced by the LGBT community. Recommendations from his book Gay Issues in the Workplace are included in many corporate diversity policies.[11]

In 2011 he won the Selisse Berry Leadership Award.[12]

Bibliography[edit]

Pieces written by McNaught
Year Name
1997 Now That I'm Out, What Do I Do?[13]
1986 On Being Gay: Thoughts On Family, Faith, And Love[14]
2003 Gay Issues In The Workplace[15]
2008 Are You Guys Brothers?

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections". Cornell University.
  2. ^ Dowlin, Joan (2 July 2015). "The Hypocrisy of 'Religious Freedom'". Huffington Post. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  3. ^ Noble, Barbara (27 June 1993). "At Work; The Unfolding of Gay Culture". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  4. ^ McNaught, Brian (15 March 2013). "Sex, scandal and sadness in the Catholic church". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  5. ^ "Paper is Assailed by a Homosexual: Ex-Columnist Files Charge Against Michigan Catholic". The New York Times. August 11, 1974. p. 27. Retrieved 15 April 2016.(subscription required)
  6. ^ "Matt & Anrej Koymasky". The Living Room.
  7. ^ "Human Rights Campaign". The HRC.
  8. ^ Douglas, Genevieve. "Companies, LGBT Employees Still Face Challenges to Open and Inclusive Workplaces". Bloomberg BNA. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  9. ^ Martin, Michael. "Gays At Work...In Closet". Tell Me More. NPR. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  10. ^ "Gay Summit Reveals Mixed Feelings on Wall Street". LGBT Weekly. Archived from the original on 13 April 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  11. ^ "Labor Department celebrates great works in LGBT literature for Pride". Wisconsin Gazette. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  12. ^ "Out and Equal". Out and Equal.
  13. ^ "Nonfiction Book Review: Now That I'm Out What Do I Do by Brian McNaught". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  14. ^ "Nonfiction Book Review: On Being Gay: Thoughts on Family, Faith, and Love by Brian McNaught". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  15. ^ "Nonfiction Book Review: Gay Issues in the Workplace by Brian McNaught". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 15 April 2016.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]