According to a 2020 Gallup survey, 5.9% of the U.S. workforce openly identifies as LGBTQIA+, with many more concealing their identity due to fear of discrimination. Awareness of LGBTQIA+ rights has grown significantly, but challenges still persist in creating truly inclusive workplaces where every employee feels respected and valued as their true self.

Before the landmark Supreme Court ruling in 2020, which extended workplace protections to LGBTQIA+ individuals nationwide, employers could legally terminate employees based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. While this ruling marked a critical step forward, it underscored the ongoing need for increased measures to foster inclusivity within the workplace. In fact, McKinsey found that LGBTQIA+ individuals often still feel excluded in their workplace and uncomfortable discussing topics around their personal lives, due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The importance of psychological safety

To make a change, companies must work on improving their employees' feelings of psychological safety, which is the feeling of being safe enough to be honest, take risks, and raise concerns without consequences. Employers must do this by ensuring their employees know they're welcome to express themselves authentically without feeling out of place. This can be done by making people feel seen, and creating spaces where everyone can be vulnerable by leveraging education and inclusive policies.