Fear of discrimination, hostility, and bullying in the workplace due to sexual orientation is still very real, both in the UK and many other countries. Numerous studies have shown that hiding an important part of your identity leads to stress and other mental health issues.
In the workplace, attempts to conceal one’s sexual orientation — through hiding or avoiding personal conversations with colleagues — have been linked to:
Higher levels of stress and anxiety
Lower job satisfaction
More distant relationships with colleagues
There are various reports from studies in the last few years that reveal alarming statistics. One report shows that up to 41% of LGBQ individuals in the US have experienced physical or verbal abuse, vandalism of property, harassing emails, or anti-gay jokes and comments at work. Another shares that 56% of LGB+ respondents feel uncomfortable being open about their sexual orientation in the workplace.
While progress is being made, with many employers implementing significant changes to support their LGBTQIA+ employees, our work is not done. We must continue to champion and fight for equality. It’s a real privilege for me to offer my clients a safe and confidential space to speak freely in, but wouldn’t every workplace be so much better if the workplace itself would be a safe space for all colleagues?
June marks Pride Month, a time to celebrate and honour the LGBTQIA+ community's resilience, diversity, and contributions to society. 🏳️🌈
As we embark on this month-long celebration, let's:
Reaffirm our commitment to creating inclusive spaces
Ensure everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves
I advocate for equality and acceptance and will continue to champion diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our lives. Join me in celebrating Pride Month and making a difference.
Happy Pride Month! 🌈
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