About 8 years ago working supervising a crew of approx. 20 mechanics, as a Lead, there was a gay man employed within our company that was continuously being shuffled around from one crew to the next due to mixed feelings about his sexual preference. Feeling sorry for the man I volunteered to pick him up on my crew. Having a reputation at that time as being the “Hit Man”, meaning that all of the troublemakers eventually ended up on my crew, either to get with the program or get out the door. Leaving all personalities aside I gave the guy a fair shake, and in return he gave me 100% at the job. Much to my surprise he was by far the best mechanic I ever had on my crew, after 9 months I promoted him to alternate lead to fill my place when on vacation or rotation came around. Only to be accused by other applicants of being “Gay” myself, for not choosing them for the promotion. Homophobia is prominent in this industry but in my opinion if a man can carry his weight and perform a job to my expectations I could care less who or what he does with his personal time.