LGBTQ+ Discrimination In The Workplace: What You Should Know
There’s no question that the LGBTQ+ community has come a long way in recent years. It’s been a long, hard road to get here. But, the rights and equalities the community has today are leaps and bounds above where they were just a decade earlier.
A lot of that has to do with more voices being heard and more allies stepping up to support the community.
Unfortunately, we’re nowhere near where we need to be. While more allies are stepping in to help, so many in the LGBTQ+ community still face discrimination every day — even in the workplace.
If you’re someone who regularly experiences it or you want to educate yourself on what that kind of discrimination looks like, we’ll cover some of the basics.
Discrimination Isn’t Just Wrong — It’s Illegal
Before we go any further into what you should know about discrimination in the workplace, understand that it should not be happening, ever, under any circumstances.
The Civil Rights Act, put in place in 1964, made it illegal for employers to discriminate against individuals in the workplace based on race, religion, sex, etc. Beyond that, most private companies have personal zero-tolerance policies on discrimination.
Familiarize yourself with your company handbook if you want to know more about where your place of employment stands. But, most importantly, know that if you experience or see discrimination happening, it needs to be reported immediately.
What Does LGBTQ+ Discrimination Look Like
Discrimination can take many forms. Maybe your employer isn’t to blame, and maybe you have a welcoming and inclusive work environment for the most part. But, as the old saying goes, one bad apple can spoil the bunch.
Whether discrimination is a work culture problem or a handful of people are the ones pushing it, there are some signs to look for, including:
A lack of diversity in the work environment
Unequal pay, promotions, or opportunities
Inappropriate comments or questions
Demeaning language
Some signs of discrimination are more obvious than others. But, if you identify as LGBTQ+ and you experience any of these issues, even only once, don’t take it lightly. Sometimes, if one person is causing the problem, you might be able to address them directly. Let them know in a respectful but firm way that their words and actions aren’t acceptable. If they continue, you can take the appropriate steps to reach people in more powerful positions.
What Can You Do?
Again, if you experience discrimination directly or see it happening in the workplace, report it immediately to your employer and/or the human resources department. Make sure you understand your rights within the business you work for and as a U.S. citizen protected under the law.
Most often, when discrimination is reported, an employer will take the steps necessary to put a stop to it. That might include terminating the perpetrator or doing a complete overhaul of company culture and providing more training.
From a personal standpoint, it might be tempting to just “take” discrimination when it comes. You might think it’s just part of the culture and that reporting anything would worsen matters, especially if you’re a newer employee. Unfortunately, far too many people are afraid of making waves, so they don’t speak up for themselves even when they should.
It’s important to be strong and to be proud of who you are and how you identify. If you’re being discriminated against, make sure you’re taking care of yourself in and out of the workplace. Find ways to de-stress. Practice self-care techniques like mindfulness and meditation. These actions can boost your self-esteem and confidence and make it easier to stand up for yourself and others in the LGBTQ+ community who might be experiencing similar types of discrimination.
Learn more about LGBTQ+ Therapy.
Want to learn more about LGBTQ+ Discrimination in the Workplace? Check out this guide here!
