Why being a gay sailor is hard, especially when you’re at sea
Requirements of The Profession
Whether you want to join the Navy or be a sailor on a cruiser, this profession has some requirements. However, they’re probably not what you expect. There’s no school you should go to that teaches you about becoming a sailor. In fact, most sailors start fresh out of high school. These people don’t need or care for higher education, and they don’t have much use for it on the job either. Being a sailor doesn’t require you to do mental gymnastics to perform daily tasks. Instead, it’s all about having the strength to do them.
A sailor’s job entails taking care of the vessel you’re aboard. The tasks you’ll have will depend on your experience levels. However, all of these tasks are usually mechanical and require some strength. Sailors need to be practical individuals, make decisions fast in times of crisis, be practical, and persistent. As a sailor, you also have to be independent. Having daily tasks means nobody needs to run to their superior all the time asking what’s next. Each sailor knows what they’re supposed to do, and they’re always busy. So, if you love hard work that doesn’t strain you mentally, being a sailor may be your calling.
Being a Sailor Means You Need to Act Professional Sometimes
Being a sailor still means you’re someone’s employee. So, that means that sometimes you have to be professional. A lot of workplaces don’t care about your gender or sexuality as long as you abide by the rules. Think of being a sailor as working in a corporate world. Sometimes, you’ll just have to pretend. That’s one of the struggles of a gay sailor. There’s not a lot of room for you to express yourself, and that’s why being a gay sailor is hard for some.
This is especially difficult because a lot of gay people wait a long time before they come out to people. Once they do, it’s natural for them to want to be themselves all the time. When they become sailors, not every ship will give them this kind of freedom. Luckily, some sailing companies don’t mind having gay sailors, so it’s all about finding the right employer.
Romance Is Rare
Are you dreaming about a romance on a cruiser you’re looking to work on? While that dream can be made a reality, gay people usually refrain from pursuing any romantic relationships at work. There are several reasons for that, but the main one is the awkwardness if anything bad happens. Since you’re stuck on a ship for a long time, it’s hard to avoid the person you were in a relationship with. This awkwardness and bad feelings can also make you underperform when doing your job, and that’s never good.
That’s why gay men try to respect their jobs and stay away from relationships. This is especially difficult if your coworkers turn out to be real eye candy. However, it’s best to always be professional and not risk ending the sail long before you’re supposed to.
You’re Far From Home
Have you ever been far away from home? We’re not talking about going on vacation, university, or even moving into a new apartment in the same city. Your family and friends are within reach, and you can see them anytime you want. It’s a bit different when you’re a sailor because you’re on a ship thousands of miles away from home.
All gay men need their family and friends, especially if they’re supportive. These people are who you can lean on in times of need, and being separated from them is always hard. That means being a sailor can really make you homesick. The worst thing of all is that there aren’t a lot of ways for you to contact your friends and family when you miss them. It’s hard to get a good reception when you’re in the middle of the ocean.
So, if you’re really close to your loved ones, this may not be a good career choice for you. However, we all make sacrifices in difficult times. If you think you could use the money, all you need to do is believe in yourself as your loved ones do.
At Work, You Have No Choice
Unfortunately, you don’t have a lot of choices while you’re working. Since you’re so far away from home, all you can do is cope with the situation you’re in. So, how do gay men find ways to come? Well, some find it easy to deal with homesickness because they’re always so busy. When you’re a sailor, there’s always something that needs to be done.
How do you cope in your spare time then? There are many things you can do with your spare time. This is something you should think about before you become a sailor. That’s because you can then bring a few things that will keep you entertained. Maybe you’ll choose to read books or pick up a new hobby while you’re aboard. The most important thing is to make friends and surround yourself with good people that will make even the hardest task seem easy.