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What to know about supporting LGBTQ+ employees

A vital component of a comprehensive diversity and inclusion strategy is the inclusion of LGBTQ+ employees. Successfully recruiting, retaining, developing, and advancing LGBTQ+ employees helps organizations compete effectively for talent, minimize attrition costs, and better access consumer markets.

How to build genuine LGBTQ+ allyship

The top five recommendations to build workplace allyship are identifying and addressing discrimination, providing educational opportunities, moving from performative to genuine allyship, speaking up publicly and inclusively, and enabling managers and ERGs to be effective allies.

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LGBTQ+ inclusion affects retention

  • 34%

    of LGBTQ+ employees report leaving a job because the work environment did not accept them.

  • 50%

    of US LGBTQ+ employees are not out to their supervisors.

Celebrate Pride

More than 100 countries observe Pride in different months; it's June in the US. It is a time to recognize the impact of LGBTQ+ people as well as the legal and societal challenges they still face. Companies should, however, be aware of performative allyship and take action so LGBTQ+ employees feel valued year round.

Learn more about this shift

  • Report

    Words aren’t enough: The risks of performative policies (2nd edition)

    Catalyst’s new research shows that only one-third of employees experience inclusive team dynamics. Learn how to create more inclusive teams.

  • Blog Post

    Move beyond performative allyship for your 2SLGBTQ+ employees

    In a 2023 Catalyst Honours session, panelists discussed how to drive real change for their LGBTQ+ employees.

  • Infographic

    Flip the Script: Sexual orientation in the workplace

    Stop using these common words and focus on performance and outcomes instead.

  • Infographic

    Flip the Script: Transgender in the workplace

    This infographic guides people on words and actions that can create a culture inclusive of transgender employees.

  • Infographic

    5 ways to create a gender-inclusive workplace

    Becoming an ally and an advocate for gender inclusion is simpler than you might think. Follow these steps.

  • Workbook

    What Is gender? A guide to understand gender identity

    How companies and employees can prepare for a gender non-binary workplace.

  • Tool

    LGBTQ+ terms to know

    Make sure you use the right terms when you're talking to and about people from the LGBTQ+ community.

Featured video

  • Webinar recording

    The critical role of ERGs in supporting LGBTQ+ employees

    Watch our timely conversation on how LGBTQ+ ERGs can continue to anchor inclusion and allyship despite competing external pressures.

  • Webinar recording

    Active allyship: Strengthening LGBTQ+ inclusion in your company

    Watch this webinar to hear our panel of experts discuss why performative policies lead to a decrease in employee trust, team performance, employee productivity, and retention.

  • Webinar recording

    Allyship in action: How to be a workplace advocate and move beyond performative support for LGBTQIA+ colleagues

    Watch this webinar as we dive into the important role advocacy plays in creating more inclusivity for LGBTQIA+ team members.

  • Webinar recording

    Forging the path to true workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees

    Speakers will share their lived experiences, teach best practices from their organization, and discuss actionable steps for LGBTQ+ progress.

  • Webinar recording

    Creating new norms for gender expression & identity

    Learn tactical steps on how to celebrate the lived and expressed genders of your teams from our speakers.