As a highly tenured and multi-generational workplace, normalized behaviors of heterosexism and homophobia of the past has proven foundational to the carryover of biases against LGBTQ+ employees’ current day. Such biases are discriminatory, however, because they are subtle and can be masked while negatively impacting the well-being of our LGBTQIA employees, engendering a hostile workplace and creating a work environment that is not conducive to high performing teams and services.

Our goals are LGBTQIA understanding and mutual respect and to teach the benefits of an inclusive approach to work that embraces all dimensions of our diversity. Equally important is to empower our LGBTQIA employees. Here, representative LGBTQIA employees co-designed modules that are specific to their workplace and lived experiences to create an authentically honest education for employees. To further empower, we place LGBTQIA employees front and center to facilitate every module for the entire workforce.

Success will be measured by pre-/post-employee surveys indicating if biases have been unchanged, removed or reduced, and will inform mitigating actions to support and foster an inclusive and respectful workplace. Survey outcomes will dictate the type of intervention that will be required e.g., clarity on gender expression and improved comfort levels of language. We will engage LGBTQIA community partners who have expertise in the areas where we require specific attention.