Imagine coming to work, and instead of feeling like you belong, you’re met with sideways glances, awkward jokes, or hints that you’re “different.” These may seem like small things, but they add up, making every morning an ordeal. How would you feel in that situation?
For many people in the LGBTQ+ community, this isn’t just a hypothetical question — it’s their reality. Even with the rise of awareness and acceptance of diversity, many LGBTQ+ workers face prejudice, unfair treatment, and discrimination. This leads to serious psychological problems that affect both their personal and professional lives. But how to deal with this? Find out in the article.
What Does LGBTQ+ Discrimination Look Like at Work?
Discrimination is when people are treated unfairly for no good reason, simply because of who they are. Discrimination occurs when people fail to appreciate a person's skills, abilities, and circumstances and instead rely on negative attitudes and stereotypes based on personality traits. Discrimination can take many forms, from overt actions to subtle innuendo. Here are some examples:
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Ignoring and Excluding. Coworkers don't invite you to meetings or company events because they think you "won't fit in."
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Unprofessional Jokes. Someone makes comments about your sexuality or gender identity, masquerading as "humor."
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Belittling. Your accomplishments are ignored, and someone less qualified is promoted to "avoid questions."
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Rejecting. Your appearance or information about you on social media makes you reject a job without explanation.
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No Support. The company has no anti-discrimination policy, and you have no one to turn to for help.
This atmosphere makes people insecure, reduces productivity, and leads to emotional burnout. Discrimination prevents talented employees from realizing their potential, which is a personal tragedy and a failure for business. It is also important to know that discrimination can be overt and covert. The first step to eliminating it is learning to recognize it.
Why is this Problem Important?
About 50% of people at work are afraid to talk about their sexual orientation for fear of facing bias. And in addition to being oppressed, such employees receive fewer opportunities for advancement and training.
Discrimination is also costly for businesses. McKinsey & Company data confirms that companies with inclusive policies receive 25% more profit than their less inclusive competitors. A discriminatory environment leads to employee turnover, decreased productivity, and lawsuits. Overall competitiveness also decreases. Bias deprives talented people of career opportunities, slowing down the development of innovation, technology, and the economy.
Companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, and Google are actively fighting this problem. They implement inclusion programs, provide equal access to resources, and train employees on the principles of non-discriminatory behavior. For example, Google regularly updates its internal rules to eliminate any form of bias, and Starbucks supports medical programs for transgender employees.
How Do You Know This Is Happening to You (or Someone Else)?
To protect your rights or those of your colleagues, it is important to learn to recognize discrimination. It can be direct or hidden.
Direct discrimination is immediately noticeable. It manifests itself in insults for orientation or gender identity, refusal to promote, or even threats of dismissal. This is illegal in most countries where LGBTQ+ rights are protected. In the United States, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act is in effect. It prohibits discrimination in the workplace based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
Hidden discrimination is more common and somewhat more difficult to detect. It can be expressed in refusal to cooperate, exclusion from discussions, or providing fewer opportunities for career advancement. Thus, about 30% of LGBTQ+ employees feel obstacles in career advancement because of their identity.
If you feel that you or someone else is being avoided, ideas are ignored without reason, or the atmosphere becomes unbearable, this may be due to bias. Another sign is a need for more transparency in decision-making. If you notice that you are being passed over for important projects or promotions, but no explanation is given, it is worth considering whether this is a consequence of discrimination.
Your personal state can also tell you that something is wrong. Constant stress, a desire to avoid communication with colleagues, and isolation can result from unfair treatment. In such cases, you need to act immediately.
Steps to Combat Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ People
When you first encounter discrimination, it is important to protect yourself and your rights. Here is a step-by-step process of what you can do:
1. Save All Evidence
First of all, you should document any signs of discrimination against you. Write down what happened, when, where, and who witnessed it. Ideally, you should also have evidence from CCTV cameras. When you go to HR or go to court, this will be strong evidence.
2. Assess the Situation
Consider whether you were discriminated against or simply misunderstood. If you were denied a promotion because you are LGBTQ+, this is a clear form of discrimination that needs to be addressed. And if a colleague did not invite you to an important meeting by mistake, then this problem can be resolved through open communication. It is important to understand the situation in order to react correctly and not overestimate or underestimate what is happening.
3. Contact HR or Management
If you have evidence, contact your HR department or management. Most companies have a process for filing a complaint about discrimination. Write a formal statement detailing what happened. For example, “I was left out of an important project even though I have experience, and I wasn’t given a reason.” This will create an official document, and the company is obligated to look into the situation.
4. Contact the Law
If the company’s internal procedure does not help or the situation is not resolved, you can turn to external government and human rights resources. In the United States, you can contact:
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The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a federal agency that helps investigate workplace discrimination cases. The EEOC covers discrimination on various grounds. If you feel that you have been discriminated against at work, you can file a complaint with the EEOC. This must be done within 180 days of the incident.
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Lambda Legal is a human rights organization that specializes in protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ people. It provides legal assistance and helps file lawsuits in discrimination at work and other areas of life.
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American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is an organization that protects civil rights and liberties. The ACLU actively fights discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and provides legal support in such cases.
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State and Local Agencies—Many states and cities have agencies that deal with human rights and can help in cases of discrimination. For example, in New York, there is the New York State Division of Human Rights, and in California, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). These agencies can help investigate complaints and offer solutions at the state level.
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Workplace Fairness is an online resource that provides information about employee rights in the United States and helps you find lawyers who specialize in employment law and discrimination protection.
5. Consider Alternatives
If the ridicule and infringement continue, it is sometimes better to look for a vacancy in another company. Working in a toxic atmosphere hinders development and has a negative impact on health. Therefore, even if the process of combating discrimination is moving forward, it is better not to wait for its completion, but to first leave the company where human values and rights are not respected.
How Can Companies Effectively Support the LGBTQ+ Community?
Today, it is imperative that companies and brands engage in open support for the LGBTQ+ community. Of course, this trend will become more relevant over time, but it needs to start now. Companies should:
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implement systemic changes and a DEI approach;
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create a culture of equality and inclusivity for employees;
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learn successful experiences of supporting LGBTQ+ from companies on the Global RepTrak 100 list;
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invest in education on gender and sexual identity;
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adapt external messages for different target audiences;
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be prepared for negative reactions if they express support for LGBTQ+;
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stay true to their values, strengthening customer and partner trust.
Conclusion
In the future, the workplace for LGBTQ+ people will definitely be inclusive and safe. Discrimination will disappear, and inclusivity will become not just a legal requirement, but a value that every company supports.
But to achieve this, we need to start working today - creating equal conditions for everyone, training employees and implementing anti-sexist practices. Companies that follow these principles will experience significant growth and increased recognition.
