IBM Study: LGBTQIA Discrimination in US Workplaces Remains High, Despite Global Focus on Social Justice

The new IBM study “Striving for Authenticity,” conducted with Out & Equal Workplace Advocates and Workplace Pride found that discrimination is more pronounced where race, gender, and sexual orientation intersect. Across all surveyed racial identity groups, lesbian, gay, and bisexual respondents see their sexual orientation as the primary driver of the discrimination they’ve personally experienced in the workplace.

Strikingly, a global IBM study of CEOs from earlier this year showed only 17% of CEOs surveyed ranked diversity and inclusion among the essential organizational attributes for engaging employees.

“There is much more corporations can do to support LGBT+ people’s career aspirations and allow them to bring their full selves to work,” said Ella Slade, IBM global LGBT+ leader. “Empathetic leadership and support for employees’ mental health with programs like Safe Spaces to Talk — which give employees in the LGBT+ community and others a safe place for sharing their experiences and gaining support — can help especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“What we’re seeing is an authenticity gap. Too many LGBT+ people can’t show up as their authentic selves at work without facing negative consequences,” said Deena Fidas, Chief Program and Partnerships Officer for Out & Equal. “Too many can’t…