5 Tips and Resources to Support LGBTQIA+ Employees and Colleagues

We’re proud to kick off the month of June by celebrating PRIDE and uplifting the voices of LGBTQIA+ employees in the workforce! Here’s a curated list of tips and resources to help your organization become more inclusive and supportive of LGBTQIA+ identified employees and colleagues.

Challenge your preconceptions about gender and sexuality by operating from an assumption-free approach.

Food for Thought: Does your workplace foster a gender-neutral environment that utilizes gender-inclusive facilities and language?
Resource: How to create a gender-inclusive workplace

Allow employees to use their preferred/chosen pronouns and make an effort to get them right.

Food for Thought: How can using the proper pronouns for LGBTQIA+ employees validate and affirm their experience?
Resource: Pronouns 101: Why They Matter and What To Do (and Not Do) If You Misgender Someone

If you see/hear something, say something!

Food for Thought: Challenge yourself and your employees to be accountable for one another and speak up when you hear someone making jokes or negative comments about the LGBTQIA+ community.
Resource: How not to be a bystander to LGBTQ harassment

Show LGBTQIA+ identified employees your authentic commitment to supporting them by keeping your pulse on current news, trends and happenings that impact their community.

Food for Thought: How can being an informed advocate support both you and LGBTQIA+ identified employees in the office?
Resource: The State of the LGBTQ Community in 2020

Keep intersectionality at the forefront of your mind as many LGBTQIA+ employees exist at the intersection of marginalized identities.

Food for Thought: Remember that there is no single LGBTQIA+ experience! Check-in with your employees and colleagues, but know that identities are constantly changing.
Resource: Double Discrimination & Intersectionality

On-Campus Resource Spotlight:

UT Austin’s Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC) provides opportunities for all members of the UT Austin community to explore, organize, and promote learning around issues of gender and sexuality. The center also facilitates a greater responsiveness to the needs of women and the LGBTQIA+ communities through education, outreach, and advocacy.

Student Organization Spotlight:

The Student Organization Affiliate Member Program at UT Austin’s Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC) was established to assist LGBTQA+ and Feminist/Women’s student groups connect to the Gender and Sexuality Center and receive resources and support for their programming. Student groups that are in direct alignment with the mission and values of the GSC are eligible to apply. There are currently over 20 student affiliate groups that have the support of the GSC and are listed on th