Getting a job in today’s economy, whether you've just graduated from college or laid off from your job after 20 years, can be difficult enough.
For people in the lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, queer, intersex and asexual community, their concerns may extend beyond just getting hired, such as how to begin the conversation about addressing a transgender person by their proper name, for example, or the legal steps to take in a case of possible discrimination.
This guide will provide you with resources to get hired and make sure your employer is an LGBT friendly workplace, where you'll be welcomed and celebrated for your talents and for who you are.
Table of Contents
This resource explains personal pronouns and why they matter to people in the LGBT community. Using the correct pronoun helps a person feel respected and accepted in their community.
The University of California-Davis has put together an LGBT glossary which defines terms that are pertinent to the LGBT community, such as definitions for each letter in the LGBT acronym and a definition of “coming out.”
The web resource also gives information on different ways to refer to one’s gender and sexuality and how to properly refer to them, such as intersex and gender-fluid.
Here, readers can find an information sheet offers examples of different gendered and gender-neutral pronouns, such as he, she, and ze. It also has dialogue examples for how to ask someone which pronoun they prefer to use for themselves.
Written by the partner of a person who is going through the transition process, the Transgender Universe blog is a resource for information on “dead names” in the transgender community.
It gives a definition of what a “dead name” is: the name a person used before they transitioned; and why using that name after a person’s transition can be considered harmful.
An infographic that shares a list of words that would be hurtful or painful for people in the LGBT community to hear. The resource includes general “words that hurt,” such as curse words, as well as words that are specifically triggering to the bisexual and transsexual community.
This 2017 article from Pink News outlines what a gender-neutral bathroom is, and why gender-neutral restroom facilities are important for those who identify as part of the LGBT community.
A University of Massachusetts Amherst PowerPoint presentation gives academic leaders information on how to address transgender students as well as examples of transgender discrimination, such as asking invasive questions about their body or challenging their right to use the bathroom that they wish to use.
If you need a visual guide, this website has door signs for purchase that could be used on all-gender or gender-inclusive restrooms in and out of the workplace.
This page of resources from the Human Rights Campaign shares ideas on how to advocate for LGBT rights in the workplace. Steps to advocating include finding allies who share your concerns and setting up a dialogue.
Here, the Human Rights Campaign offers help on how to identify workplace discrimination, and the laws and policies that are in place to protect LGBT people, such as equal-employment opportunity policies and gender-specific policies.
The page also has a list of statistics about employers that have policies in regards to nondiscrimination policies and gender expression.
For example, as of 2010, 46 percent of Fortune 500 companies and Fortune 100 companies had non-discrimination policies that included gender identity or expression.
If you are looking for health insurance information, the Health Coverage Guide is the place to go. You’ll find information on health insurance eligibility for domestic partners.
Employers can visit this Human Rights Campaign webpage for information on how to define benefits for transgender people and their dependants in the United States. The information included shares tips on how to determine if your workplace’s policy is inclusive and how to address your privacy in the workplace with the human resources department.
The Guardian newspaper article outlines challenges people in the LGBT community may face in the workplace. The article also has suggestions for how to create a culture of inclusion in the workplace.
A wealth of information, this Huffington Post article includes June 2017 discrimination survey by the University of California Los Angeles’ Williams Center.
In the survey, researchers found that the LGBT population was widely discriminated against, with 21 percent of workers reporting that they had been discriminated against in the areas of employment and pay.
A 2007 study from the American Psychological Association reported that between 42 and 68 percent of employed people in the LGBT community faced discrimination in the workplace.
More than 25 percent of transgender people reported that they had lost a job because of gender discrimination.
Recruiter Box’s blog has infographics about creating an LGBT-friendly workplace, such as employment protections, civil rights and salary discrepancy information.
Personal stories of five LGBT workers who experienced forms of discrimination, such as harassment and inappropriate questions from their employers can be found on this ThinkProgress.org webpage.
From the Human Rights Campaign, this interactive map has a list of legal gender-inclusive workplace policies and procedures, organized by state.
Lamba Legal, an LGBT rights law firm, shares steps one should take if they believe they are facing workplace discrimination because of their gender expression or sexual identity.
Out & Equal Workplace Advocates offers job search strategies for those in the LGBT community. Here, you can read company profiles and upload your resume, as well as email a corporate engagement manager for more information and assistance.
Lawrence University in Appleton, WI, shares questions a person may ask themselves when beginning the job search for an LGBT friendly workplace, and information on networking.
VelvetJobs Expert Tip
An employer may not explicitly state they're an equal opportunities employer. Become familiar with their work environment and any diversity policies.
Check to see if they have a diverse workforce especially at upper levels of management.
Miami University’s Center for Career Exploration and Success, based in Ohio, shares ways to evaluate potential employers and important questions to ask, such as how to “come out” at work and how much to include about one’s sexual identity or gender expression on a resume.
Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania offers a list of employment resources searchable by identity as well as a list of job posting boards.
Pro Gay Jobs provides job opportunities specifically designed for people in the LGBT community looking to work in an inclusive environment. A person can search for job listings and get tips on improving their resume.
One can also find out which companies have domestic partner benefits, sponsor employer resource groups to support those who identify as LGBT, conduct diversity training programs and donate to LGBT-friendly organizations.
Out Professionals offers a variety of LGBT networking opportunities in New York City, including mixers, comedy nights and “speed dating” networking events. Their website also has a job search engine.
The National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce website offers resources on how to certify one’s business, corporate partners and statistics on the millions of dollars annually brought into the economy by LGBT businesses.
Reaching Out MBA offers professional resources, scholarships and a conference for students who are earning or professionals who have their master’s in business administration, or MBA.
GLIFFA is the professional network for those in the LGBT community who work at foreign affairs agencies.
DOJ Pride is a networking website for LGBT people who work in the Justice Department.
This website is to connect people in the LGBT community who work in for Congresspersons in the U.S. House of Representatives.
GLMA is the professional networking organization for LGBT medical professionals.
Are you concerned your LGBT status may affect your career path?
Mic, a Radiologist explains whether his LGBT status affected his career choices:
This webpage from the American Medical Student Associations offers information on advocating for patients and medical students in the LGBT community.
Division 44 is the LGBT-arm of the American Psychological Association and offers advocacy resources, publications and more.
AGLP is a networking group for LGBT psychiatrists.
Pride at Work is the LGBT arm of the AFL-CIO. Their website includes resources for union members and information about an annual conference.
NGPA is a resource for pilots and aviation professionals in the LGBT community. Resources include advocacy and employment resources, scholarships and an annual event.
The LGBT Bar organization is the networking hub for LGBT people in the American Bar Association. Information includes an annual conference, with speakers and job search resources.
NLGJA is the national organization for LGBT journalists. Information on their website includes details about an annual conference, and tips on how to write about those in the LGBT community, such as tips on covering transgender people and military policy.
This website is the Internet home for LGBT scientists and technology professionals.
OSTEM stands for “Out in Science, Technology, Education and Math.” Their website shares information about an annual conference as well as a page of crisis resources for those in the LGBT community who require help in times of need, such as the Trevor Project and 24 hour hotlines for those in the transgender and larger LGBT communities.
Moovz bills itself as the “largest LGBT community online.” The website and app for one’s smartphone offers a place for people to share stories and connect with one another.
Reddit is a huge community for many sections of society and the LGBT community is no different. Plenty of support and advice on a range of topics including jobs, careers and employment.
This Huffington Post article outlines “11 Facebook Groups Every LGBT Person Should Know,” and includes links to groups that connect people in the LGBT community to safe rideshare programs, advocate programs and resources for parents of transgender children.
This blog page from Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation shares information on LGBT benefits and resources for the workplace.
LGBT Nation is the “world’s most followed LGBT news source.” The blog has information and articles affecting the LGBT community in areas such as education, health and wellness, celebrity, United States and international news.
Opinionated Lesbian is a blog that focuses on gay and lesbian issues, and has been active since 2005.
The Republic of T. is a philosophical blog on a variety of issues affecting the LGBT community and the world at large.
Written by a gay man and father who also lists himself as a “vegan and Buddhist,” recent blog topics include Confederate symbols, the tragedy in Charlottesville and the current U.S. political administration.
Fair Wisconsin is a local blog that focuses on LGBT issues in the state of Wisconsin. The blog shares information on LGBT rights and ways to advocate and speak out for those in the LGBT community.
Queerty shares daily news stories affecting the lives of those in the LGBT community worldwide, such as political stories, coming out stories and more.
After Ellen is an LGBT-friendly pop culture blog.
That Was Us with Julia Nunes has a weekly featured guest that reads a journal or diary entry from the “person they used to be.”
Homoground shares music from LGBT artists.
Ramble Redhead’s producer is a never-named Midwestern gay man. In production since 2005, this podcast features interviews with LGBT celebrities and authors and random LGBT people who call the show’s hotline.
Savage Lovecast, hosted by Dan Savage, offers love advice for people of all gender expressions and identities. Savage is the longtime writer of Savage Love, an advice column.
Nancy is hosted by two queer friends and touches on a variety of LGBT issues, from politics to coming out stories.
Strange Fruit is hosted by two African American people, community activist Jaison Gardner and Professor Dr. Kaila Story, talk about politics and pop culture from the perspective of two black and LGBT individuals.
The Glass Closet: Why Coming Out is Good Business, is a first-person account written by former BP CEO John Browne. In the book, Browne shares why he believes coming out earlier would have been an asset to him, and why it is important to bring one’s authentic self to work.
The Inclusion Imperative: How Real Inclusion Creates Better Business and Builds Better Societies by inclusion expert Stephen Frost, shares the steps taken to make the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London an inclusive event for everyone, and how inclusive strategies can improve your business.
