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 Nonbinary 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,
conduct cultural
sensitivity trainings
for employees, and
include LGBT-owned
businesses in their
supply chain.
MORE
INFO:
Equality Florida
www.eqfl.org
The Pride Chamber of Orlando
www.thepridechamber.org
UCF LGBTQ+ Services
sja.sdes.ucf.edu/lgbtq
/www.eqfl.org
/www.thepridechamber.org
/lgbtq
