Out and Equal announced last Thursday that the organization will open an Out and Equal Workplace Advocates office in Atlanta. The organization celebrates the launch of its new affiliate chapter on Nov. 20.
Out and Equal is the national organization supporting LGBT workplace equality. It’s great news to see such an empowering organization build a foundation in the 33rd largest city in the U.S. The city also has the third highest percentage (12.8 percent) of LGBT couples among the fifty largest cities in the United States. In taking a deeper look at the city, I found that Atlanta has a rich LGBT history, including one of the oldest gay community centers, Atlanta Gay Center, which was founded in 1976. To me, Atlanta is an important city for Out and Equal’s footprint, and a place where the organization has the power to truly make an impact. Organizations like Out and Equal can play a pivotal role in their communities — for employees and for companies.
Back in September, Kim shared with us the concerns businesses face in addressing workplace and diversity issues, based on the 7th Annual National Out and Equal Workplace Survey. In her post she shares, 79 percent of heterosexual adults strongly or somewhat agree that how an employee does their job should be the basis for how they are judged as an employee, not their sexual orientation. Unfortunately, almost half of LGBT adults hear anti-gay comments on the job, and two out of three feel they have faced discrimination at work.
In order for companies to operate productive businesses, they must also foster a positive workplace environment. An inclusive climate is one where employees can be themselves and focus on quality work. Through Out and Equal Workplace Advocates and other area LGBT services, companies have the resources to take a progressive stand in workplace equality issues and achieve equal policies, practices, and benefits for LGBTs. I look forward to seeing what the future brings for Out and Equal in Atlanta.
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