Increasingly, countries have implemented regulations protecting “out” employees from harassment and wrongful termination. Here in Shanghai, where the official stance on homosexuality is ambiguous at best, choosing whether or not to be out at the workplace is a more difficult decision to make.

Even in countries with strong anti-discrimination laws, gays have a difficult time deciding whether or not to be out at work. A 2008 survey by Out Now, a UK-based LGTB-centered market research firm, found 82 percent of lesbians and 75 percent of gay men thought that being completely open at work was not a good idea.

A survey of my friends here in Shanghai revealed a mixed response. Some people who are extremely open in other aspects of their lives are firm believers in a closeted work environment, while others who seem more reserved are totally open.

A Chinese lesbian who works in the corporate world explained to me why she is firmly closeted at work. “I just don’t trust that my boss won’t use it against me,” she admitted, also stating that she was worried how it would affect her future career opportunities. On the other hand there’s Simon Vince, an English lawyer who until very recently was practicing in Shanghai. He is adamant that there should be no separation at all and that covering up your sexuality at work is being contrary to who you are.

I take a middle-of-the-road stance. I imagine most of my co-workers are aware, but have no idea who or how many since I generally avoid talking about my personal life.

When I began to write this column I was offered the opportunity to write under a pseudonym–a decision I struggled with greatly. Having my name and picture appear every other week attached to a LGBT column is a bit more high-profile than I’m used to. I was also especially worried about how my students might react, fearing that they may hesitate to approach me about their studies because of personal prejudices. In the end I decided to write openly. I’ve seen no difference in the way I’m treated at work, even though I regularly see copies of this magazine floating around campus.

And there are benefits to being more visible in the community, as evidenced by the handsome stranger who introduced himself as a reader at Baker & Spice over the weekend (I was sadly too hungover to properly chat back).

The decision to be out at work is a personal matter and everyone must assess their work situation carefully. But is any job worth going to extraordinary measures to hide who you really are?