June is Pride Month! Many organizations use this worldwide celebration to reflect on the tangible, substantial commitments we can make to support the LGTBQ+ community 365 days a year.
Progress is being made.
In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the broad language of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlaws workplace discrimination on the basis of sex, should be read to cover sexual orientation, too. 👏 👏 And, as of 2022, 94% of Fortune 500 companies employ non-discrimination policies that explicitly include gender identity.
There is more to be done!
Despite these advancements and others, many LGBTQ+ employees still fear bringing their full selves to work. According to research conducted by Catalyst, a global nonprofit promoting DEI efforts in the workplace, only half of LGBTQ+ employees in the U.S. have come out to their supervisors.
And, U.S. employees who have come out report experiencing lower inclusion at work compared with their straight counterparts, particularly as it relates to feeling connected with colleagues.
Being an LGBTQ+ ally can transform lives.
Did you know allies are some of the most effective and powerful voices for LGBTQ+ people? Every new ally adds their voice and actions to a growing shift in mindset and behaviors, making it easier for the LGBTQ+ community to show up as their authentic selves at work and in life.
In partnership with our employee resource group, Prism, we’ve outlined four ways you can be an active LGBTQ+ ally in the workplace — instead of a passive one.
Prism is Creative Circle’s employee resource group that welcomes and works to address the interests of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning communities, as well as allies.
1. Use LGBTQ+ Inclusive Language
Source: Academy to Innovate HR
David Allen, senior recruiting coordinator at Creative Circle and chair of Prism, says, “Your language matters — be mindful of the words you use and avoid gender assumptions. Using LGBTQ+ inclusive language in the workplace can help your employees and colleagues feel respected and included.”
- Use people-first language that centers on the individual rather than their descriptor.
- Use gender-neutral pronouns, especially when the gender of your colleague is unknown. If you’re unsure of someone’s pronouns, ask politely.
- Remember, making mistakes is a part of learning. When you make a mistake, genuinely apologize (without making it about you) and use the proper inclusive language next time.
2. Include Pronouns in Your Communication
Add your pronouns to your email signature, video call nametag, and Teams/Slack bio.
Beyond claiming your own identity, including your pronouns shows you’re an ally to the LGBTQ+ community as it indicates that you don’t make assumptions about people’s gender.
Rose Boyer, Creative Circle recruiter and Prism ERG member, says, “This simple, low-effort act provides an opportunity for inclusion and helps colleagues feel more respected at work. When you share your pronouns, you’re providing others a safe space to share theirs.”
It’s important to normalize this practice and encourage others to do the same.
3. Educate Yourself Independently
As an LGBTQ+ ally, the most important thing you can do is educate yourself on issues pertinent to the community.
David Allen says, “Self-education is important. While some of us enjoy teaching others, don’t expect the LGBTQ+ community to educate you.” It can be exhausting to educate person after person on LGBTQ+ issues, so make the effort to educate yourself and meet them halfway.
To get started, look through this list of resources provided by Prism.
- Harvard Implicit Bias Test
- MyPronouns.org
- Pride: a six-part documentary series
- Stonewall, Then and Now
- The Gay Revolution: The Story of the Struggle
- Disclosure: Hollywood’s depiction of transgender people and the impact of this on American culture.
4. Practice Allyship Year-Round
While it’s great to express allyship during Pride Month and other days of visibility, don’t stop there. Show your support consistently throughout the year.
- Advocate for inclusive workplace policies.
- Actively challenge discrimination when you encounter it.
- Amplify LGBTQ+ voices and celebrate their achievements.
- Donate time or money to an LGBTQ+ charity.
- Attend LGBTQ+ events.
- Support an LGBTQ+ business. See page 15 of our Creative Circle ERG Gift Guide!
- Share this blog with your colleagues and start a conversation.
Additionally, Rose Boyer emphasizes the importance of listening. She says, “Allies should offer a safe conversational space for a loved one. With their consent, talk to them about their experience(s) and truly listen. They might need it.”
Creative Circle’s Support for the LGBTQ+ Community
At Creative Circle, we are committed to providing an inclusive environment for all employees, promoting diversity, and advocating for equal rights. In partnership with our LGBTQ+ employee resource group, Prism, Creative Circle works to cultivate an inclusive community for all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions.
We offer robust parental benefits and family-building resources to our internal employees, including the Maven Wallet Program which covers up to $10,000 of IUI and IVF treatments. Annually, Creative Circle gives charitable donations to organizations for LGBTQ+ advocacy including The Trevor Project, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Lambda Legal, Broadway Cares, PFLAG, and GLAAD.
If you enjoyed this blog post, you might love these too:
- Brands Getting Pride Right | Creative Circle
- Rainbow Capitalism: The Line Between Celebration and Exploitation | Creative Circle
- The Murkey World of Pride and Marketing | Creative Circle
About the Author.
Kayleigh is a Creative Circle freelancer — when she’s not chasing around her two young boys or weeding her garden, she spends her time creating content for us! She specializes in sharing advice for our talent community, so if you’re a creative with an appetite for blogs on market trends, job search guidance, and freelance life, subscribe to our newsletter to ensure you never miss the latest.
