I will be flat-out honest in saying this. I was a fantastic candidate for this role. I had already received a different offer for a local position, but I'll never turn down an interview, so we talked. The interview went extremely well and everyone was having a wonderful time until they (HR) asked if I was comfortable working with religious people and clergy. I definitely am, and have worked within churches and religious-affiliated businesses in the past. I love speaking with people. However, since I am not willing to work for religious bigots, I decided to give them a simple question in how their religious company treats workers who don't align with their views. I asked if LGBT people were welcomed into the workplace. Immediately, the hiring manager shut down. Where once was a joyful happy face from a man who claimed to serve the Lord and took pride in it, now there was a flat blank facade. The HR woman stuttered through the answer and said that "we can't ask people that". I replied that I would hope that they didn't, but that that's not quite what I asked. I wanted to know if the company itself, and its team members, would welcome someone who is openly gay to their team. I was honest and said that the next employer I work for must be open and happy to accept LGBT people. She didn't really answer. I knew then that there was no way I wanted to work for them. The entire time, I kept smiling and stayed positive, and the HR lady stayed perky to match the energy, but the direct supervisor over the position never really picked up his energy again. I would not work for this organization and would urge LGBT people to not apply.
