This past weekend, we celebrated National Coming Out Day and the National Equality March. As thousands joined together in support of marriage equality, including President Obama, we cannot help but feel hopeful for what the future may bring. But after a weekend of LGBT Pride, we alas return to reality and another work week ahead.
Regardless of what office building you entered this morning, a safe, inclusion environment and fair treatment are essential to keeping you happy and productive. So, when Out & Equal Workplace Advocates released their study results about the standard for judging employees, it made me feel a little better about Monday morning.
According the recent study, 86 percent of heterosexual adults agree that how an employee does his or her job should be the standard for judging an employee, not their sexual orientation, compared to 79 percent in a similar survey conducted in June 2008. Furthermore, 52 percent of heterosexual adults surveyed and 57 percent of LGBT adults said that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are treated fairly and equally in their workplace, a 10 percent increase from 2008.
Looking at these statistics makes me feel like we’re doing something right. Corporations are now more aware of the importance of diversity inclusion and the benefits of cultivating an open culture. Through workplace diversity programs, companies are truly creating safe environments for everyone – regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief. It is through these programs that companies are able to boost morale and establish a team, a family, that utilizes everyone’s strengths and talents. Tell me, what’s the downside in any of that?
So, as you begin your work week, I hope that you feel more assured in knowing that companies are beginning to recognize the importance of workplace diversity programs. For me, this leaves me with a sense of hope – hope that we’re getting closer to a future that truly embodies the word — equality.
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Good post, Laura. This weekend also marked the 3rd Birthday of the Out Front Blog. We launched on October 11, 2006 and came out on National Coming Out Day. Congratulations to all of the bloggers (14 people, past and present) who have made the Out Front Blog what it is today!