WORKPLACE EQUALITY
LGBTQ+ Workplace
Equality Makes Florida
Better for Everyone
Imagine choosing to be your authentic
gender or sexual self at work, only to
be sidelined, demoted, passed over for
promotion or fired as a result. Over the
past 5 years, 1 in 4 LGBTQ+ workers have
experienced workplace discrimination.
Transgender individuals are especially at
risk. Nationally, 9 in 10 have experienced
discrimination at work, with 25% losing
their jobs. Anti-discrimination policies
benefit both employees and employers, at
businesses big and small. LGBTQ+ people
in the closet are 73% more likely to say
they will leave their job within three
years, but those in workplaces that foster
diversity and inclusiveness report improved
job commitment, workplace relationships,
job satisfaction, health outcomes and
productivity. A majority of Fortune 500
companies have prioritized workplace
equality, but in-house policies do not
replace state and federal laws protecting
LGBTQ+ workers from discrimination.
Nor do they allow for the enforcement of
those laws, including the right to sue for
discrimination or wrongful termination
based on sexual orientation and gender
identity. (See Transgender/Gender
Nonconforming for more information.)
Sexual orientation
discrimination in
the workplace is
legal in 28 states,
including Florida.
The majority of
non-LGBTQ+
Americans (79%)
support equal rights for
the LGBTQ+ community.
LGBTQ+ couples can legally marry anywhere in the U.S. Yet in 28
states, there are no statewide legal protections against being fired due
to sexual orientation. While Florida cities and counties have adopted
more than 40 human rights ordinances over the past two decades,
statewide nondiscrimination laws have yet to happen here.
WHAT MUST BE DONE:
1 2 3
The state legislature
must pass the
Florida Competitive
Workforce Act, Florida’s
comprehensive LGBTQ+
non-discrimination
legislation.
All Central Florida
employers should strive
to score 100% on the
Human Rights Campaign’s
Annual Corporate
Equality Index, showing
unwavering commitment
to LGBTQ+ diversity,
inclusion, and equity.
All Central Florida
employers should
adopt LGBTQ+
diversity and
inclusion policies
and practices, and
conduct cultural
sensitivity trainings
for employees.
MORE
INFO:
Equality Florida
Gina Duncan
Gina@EqualityFlorida.org
MBA Orlando
Kellie Parkin
Kellie@MBAOrlando.org
Out & Equal - Greater Orlando
Sherri Absher
SLAbsher74@Gmail.com
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