LGBTQ+ support in the workplace rises significantly, survey shows

Diversity and acceptance towards members of the LGBTQ+ community are growing in the United States, according to a recent survey. During a time when television and online news headlines are full of intolerance, the positive workplace stats indicating LGBTQ+ support are welcomed ones. The numbers indicate, though, there is still work to be done when it comes to inclusion.

The survey results

The new statistics come from Bospar PR, based in California. Their survey is in honor of the 50th anniversary of Pride Month, which happens every June.

The results of the survey of 2,000 Americans in May of 2019 shows that support and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community are rising across the country. Here are the findings:

• 80% indicated they don’t care about their colleagues’ gender expression
• 81% indicated they don’t care about their co-workers’ sexual orientation

What’s more, that number is up 20% from the previous year’s survey, when 60% of Americans indicated they did not care about whether their co-workers were LGBTQ+ or not. What’s more, the figure the year before that was 55%. As you can see, the recent jump in understanding and acceptance is far greater than in the previous years.

The survey also showed that the three most influential people selected by most Americans were journalist Anderson Cooper, presenter and comedienne Ellen DeGeneres, and TV drag show host Ru Paul. All of them are vocal members and ardent supporters of the LGBTQ+ community.

Why the stats are significant – and welcomed

Now, if we take a moment to consider the striking (and unsettling) history that our country has with LGBTQ+ workers, you really get to appreciate the magnitude of these findings.

For example, did you know that the last state who banned gay relations, Texas, only changed its laws in 2003, less than 20 years ago? And, did you know that throughout the years, and well into the 21st century, LGBTQ+ workers could and would be fired and persecuted for their sexual orientation and gender identity, so many of them still feel the need to conceal these aspects of their personality, even today?

Looking back at those stats described above, the year prior only 60% of Americans were tolerant and inclusive of LGBTQ+ people. That’s just over half, which means a significant amount of the population was NOT accepting. That division over LGBTQ+ rights is unsettling.

Furthermore, this ground-breaking survey was published the same week that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled it illegal for employers to discriminate against LGBTQ+ employees. So, things are definitely shifting across the United States, and hopefully, a similar movement is happening in other countries.

The survey also asked participants for their thoughts on LGBT+ rights in America right now. About 48% agreed that “while things are better than ever before, there is still work to be done.”

LGBTQ+ support in the workplace: There are improvements to make

As the 48% of American participants agreed, there are improvements, yes, but still, work to do. What’s disheartening is the second most popular answer after that one. The next most-cited answer was, “they won their rights, and we can now move on.” That perspective indicates that about 1 out of 5 of those surveyed don’t want to hear about LGBTQ+ rights anymore.

Moreover, 8% of the participants said that things are worse than before for the LGBTQ+ community. Others made the prediction that conditions would worsen in the near future (4%).

While there’s no doubt that all the discussion on the subject and the popularity of the LGBTQ+ community has prompted some groundbreaking changes in the US, it is also fueling unrest and division from people like J.K. Rowling, which would justify those later findings.

There still isn’t LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace. However, the overall outcome of the survey is hopeful and positive for the LGBTQ+ community and its supporters.