Create a good LGBTQ workplace – tips on transforming your office to become inclusive

The LGBTQ community is still struggling for acceptance. While faceless strangers make up the overall community, people you know also belong to it. They find solidarity, understanding and a sense of belonging amongst their peers. Wouldn’t it be nice if you can give them the gift of acceptance no matter where your sexuality lies? This is one of the reasons for you to try and create a good LGBTQ workplace.

More and more people are finding the courage to come out of the proverbial closet. In May 2021, the Office of National Statistics released a survey on Sexual Orientation in the UK as of 2019. It clearly shows that Britains over the age of 16 are increasingly claiming their sexual identities regardless of accepted gender norms. The UK is generally accepting of the LGTBQ community as a whole. So if your office is not an inclusive or diverse workplace yet, now is your chance to make changes. So, how do you create a good LGBTQ workplace?

Why is creating a friendly LGBTQ workplace important?

Some of your coworkers who identify as LGBTQ may not feel comfortable with being open about it at work. Of course, you can argue that someone’s sexual orientation has no place in the office. But being forced to hide a large part of your identity all day every day at work can make LGBTQ employees feel excluded.

So why do they remain closeted?

• A desire to avoid coworkers stereotyping them
• In order to accommodate to corworkers who are openly uncomfortable with the LGBTQ community
• A fear of losing the connections and friendships they make at work
• Previous experiences where people assumed your coworkers feel attracted to them because they are LGBTQ making them want to avoid situations like that.

When you create a good LGBTQ workplace, your colleagues will begin to feel included. Openly LGBTQ employees are more productive than those who remain closeted. This inclusivity is not only beneficial to them. It can also help the company.

• Less turnover
• Improved brand image as an LGBTQ friendly company that promotes inclusivity
• A diverse workforce contributing to rofit increases

Tips to tranform your office into an inclusive, LGBTQ-friendly space

Knowing why this is important is one thing. How do you actually create a good LGBTQ workplace that offers a safe place to the community? You may feel like there’s nothing you, as just another employee can do. Isn’t it up to your bosses to make your workplace a safe space for everyone? In part, yes, they have the lion’s share of responsibility. But you can also contribute. Sometimes just the small things have the biggest impact.

Never assume

The ‘gaydar’ may be a thing. But it’s not a thing that is always right. You can’t simply assume you know someone just by looking at them. Because you don’t. A person’s taste in clothing or some other arbitrary facet can’t show who they are. When it comes to pronouns, partner status or similar, don’t make assumptions. For instance, you can’t be certain that a woman with an engagement ring is straight. They may be. Or they might not. Rather than asking, “How did you meet him?”, you can ask something like “How did you meet your partner?”.

Don’t think you are entitled to know

Whether they chose to reveal their sexuality is up to them. You might pride yourself on being open and ‘non-judgemental’. But it’s not about you, it is about them. LGBTQ workers have their own reasons for not coming out to their coworkers. You may have suspicions about their sexual orientation. You may even know for certain. But wait for them to tell you at their own time. Even if they don’t, realise that it is their decision to make and continue to treat them with respect.

Treat them normally

Another step to creating a friendly LGBTQ workplace is to normalise it. Once you know their sexual orientation, you can ask them the same questions you would feel comfortable asking any other colleague. If they are in a relationship, you can ask about their partner, the same way you do with a straight coworker. Being LGBTQ is not something to be ashamed of. If you know, for instance, that someone is gay, but never ask any personal questions, it might make them feel alienated. They do not have to hide their identity, but your silence might make them feel otherwise.

Don’t make it their entire personality

You might be straight. But that is just a part of your identity. It’s not your entire personality. The same is true for LGBTQ workers. While it’s ok to ask personal questions, don’t just ask them about being LGBTQ. They have other interests. If you think about it, someone’s sexual preferences are as relevant as the colour of their eyes in any given setting. The occasional discussion about either is fine. But constantly talking about nothing but your eye colour or sexual orientation gets exhausting after a while.

It is not their duty to educate you

If you wish to learn more about the LGBTQ community, that’s is fantastic. And your LGBTQ coworkers may be more than happy to point you in the right direction. But it’s not their duty to do so. Be willing to do the work yourself. That said, while you educate yourself, also research what is and is not the appropriate language. Using inclusive terms, pronouns, etc is a way to make the LGBTQ community feel welcomed.

Accept that you will make mistakes

Creating a friendly LGBTQ workplace does not happen overnight. Similarly, you can’t educate yourself on the subject in one sitting. There might be mistakes made in good faith. If you are in doubt, ask an LGBTQ coworker for clarification. And if the situation calls for it, apologise properly. Then learn from your mistakes and continue to work on them.