  {"id":678,"date":"2025-08-28T01:28:17","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T05:28:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/?p=678"},"modified":"2025-08-28T01:34:51","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T05:34:51","slug":"beyond-rainbow-washing-meaningfully-supporting-lgbtq2s-employees-and-coworkers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/blog\/beyond-rainbow-washing-meaningfully-supporting-lgbtq2s-employees-and-coworkers\/","title":{"rendered":"Beyond rainbow washing: Meaningfully supporting LGBTQ2S+ employees and coworkers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull blog-template-header has-neutral-100-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--16)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div style=\"--bb--crumb-gap:.4em;\" class=\"blog-template-breadcrumb wp-block-employmentherocom2025-breadcrumb-block\"><nav role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"breadcrumb\"><ol class=\"breadcrumb-items\"><li class=\"breadcrumb-item breadcrumb-item--current breadcrumb-item--home\"><span class=\"breadcrumb-item-name\">Home<\/span><\/li><\/ol><\/nav><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"item\":{\"name\":\"Home\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/employmenthero.com\\\/en-ca\\\/\"}}]}<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group blog-template-tags-row is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--9)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group blog-template-tags is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--2);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--2)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-ghost is-style-ghost--1\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-btn-black-background-color has-background wp-element-button has-icon__eye\"><span class=\"wp-block-button__link-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"> <g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_5893_17419)\"> <path d=\"M19.8727 9.55732C19.7127 9.30315 15.8927 3.33398 10.0002 3.33398C4.10771 3.33398 0.287713 9.30315 0.127713 9.55732C0.0442677 9.69013 0 9.8438 0 10.0007C0 10.1575 0.0442677 10.3112 0.127713 10.444C0.287713 10.6982 4.10771 16.6673 10.0002 16.6673C15.8927 16.6673 19.7127 10.6982 19.8727 10.444C19.9562 10.3112 20.0004 10.1575 20.0004 10.0007C20.0004 9.8438 19.9562 9.69013 19.8727 9.55732ZM10.0002 15.0007C5.88605 15.0007 2.80271 11.299 1.84855 10.0007C3.12342 8.22835 4.79779 6.78123 6.73605 5.77648C6.15544 6.50283 5.83739 7.40411 5.83355 8.33398C5.83355 9.43905 6.27253 10.4989 7.05394 11.2803C7.83534 12.0617 8.89514 12.5007 10.0002 12.5007C11.1053 12.5007 12.1651 12.0617 12.9465 11.2803C13.7279 10.4989 14.1669 9.43905 14.1669 8.33398C14.1629 7.40674 13.8468 6.50785 13.2694 5.78232C15.2033 6.78886 16.8752 8.23337 18.1519 10.0007C17.201 11.3015 14.1277 15.0007 10.0002 15.0007Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/> <\/g> <defs> <clipPath id=\"clip0_5893_17419\"> <rect width=\"20\" height=\"20\" fill=\"white\"\/> <\/clipPath> <\/defs> <\/svg><\/span>Blog<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--0-5);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--0-5)\" class=\"taxonomy-topic eh-topics-separate wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/blog\/topic\/workplace\/\" rel=\"tag\">Workplace<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group blog-template-social-desktop is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-3 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-2 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--2);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--2)\"><div \n    class=\"eh-social-sharing-button wp-block-employmentherocom2025-eh-social-sharing-button\" data-icon=\"facebook\" data-social-type=\"facebook\">\n    <span style=\"display: flex;\">\n        <svg class=\"icon\" width=\"24px\" height=\"24px\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"> <title>Group<\/title> <path d=\"M14.4446 6.47609H11.4173V4.40033C11.4173 3.62078 11.9115 3.43904 12.2596 3.43904C12.6068 3.43904 14.3958 3.43904 14.3958 3.43904V0.0120058L11.4537 0C8.18772 0 7.44447 2.55599 7.44447 4.19168V6.47609H5.55566V10.0075H7.44447C7.44447 14.5394 7.44447 20 7.44447 20H11.4173C11.4173 20 11.4173 14.4856 11.4173 10.0075H14.0981L14.4446 6.47609Z\"><\/path><\/svg> \n    <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n<div \n    class=\"eh-social-sharing-button wp-block-employmentherocom2025-eh-social-sharing-button\" data-icon=\"twitter\" data-social-type=\"twitter\">\n    <span style=\"display: flex;\">\n        <svg class=\"icon\" width=\"17\" height=\"18\" viewBox=\"0 0 17 18\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"> <g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_2187_1527)\"> <path d=\"M6.88269 10.3821L0.554058 18H2.05374L7.54889 11.3855L11.9379 18H17L10.363 7.99774L17 0.00924304H15.5002L9.69721 6.99436L5.06215 0.00924304H-5.51343e-07L6.88306 10.3821H6.88269ZM8.93683 7.90961L9.60929 8.90561L14.9598 16.8309H12.6563L8.33833 10.4349L7.66587 9.43894L2.05303 1.12518H4.35659L8.93683 7.90923V7.90961Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path> <\/g> <defs> <clipPath id=\"clip0_2187_1527\"> <rect width=\"17\" height=\"18\" fill=\"white\" transform=\"matrix(-1 0 0 -1 17 18)\"><\/rect> <\/clipPath> <\/defs> <\/svg> \n    <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n<div \n    class=\"eh-social-sharing-button wp-block-employmentherocom2025-eh-social-sharing-button\" data-icon=\"linkedin\" data-social-type=\"linkedin\">\n    <span style=\"display: flex;\">\n        <svg class=\"icon\" width=\"17px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 17 16\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"> <title>Shape<\/title> <g id=\"Symbols\" stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"> <g id=\"Icons\/Social\" transform=\"translate(-74.000000, -2.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\" fill-rule=\"nonzero\"> <path d=\"M74.2155762,7.20409322 L77.8588786,7.20409322 L77.8588786,18 L74.2155762,18 L74.2155762,7.20409322 Z M76.0616143,2 C74.8146643,2 74,2.80609002 74,3.86411056 C74,4.90036967 74.7908238,5.72989508 76.0139333,5.72989508 L76.0371667,5.72989508 C77.3079571,5.72989508 78.0993476,4.90032981 78.0993476,3.86411056 C78.0755071,2.80609002 77.3079976,2 76.0616143,2 Z M86.8041976,6.95048874 C84.8702857,6.95048874 84.0038929,7.99790755 83.5205667,8.73245583 L83.5205667,7.20409322 L79.8761714,7.20409322 C79.924419,8.21687707 79.8761714,18 79.8761714,18 L83.5205667,18 L83.5205667,11.9708054 C83.5205667,11.6478911 83.5444071,11.3261725 83.6402952,11.0948476 C83.9041595,10.4502147 84.5037738,9.78266458 85.5095667,9.78266458 C86.8291714,9.78266458 87.3561714,10.773129 87.3561714,12.2237722 L87.3561714,18 L91,18 L91,11.8093881 C91,8.49339883 89.2027762,6.95048874 86.8041976,6.95048874 Z\" id=\"Shape\"><\/path> <\/g> <\/g> <\/svg> \n    <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n<div \n    class=\"eh-social-sharing-button wp-block-employmentherocom2025-eh-social-sharing-button\" data-icon=\"link\" data-social-type=\"copy\">\n    <span style=\"display: flex;\">\n        <svg class=\"icon\" width=\"18\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 19\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path transform=\"translate(6.640285, 0)\" d=\"M9.6365839,1.06427739 L9.6365839,1.06407143 C7.63313006,-0.581342526 4.71799441,-0.287025772 3.06469376,1.72767436 L1.68152847,3.42787366 C1.2637913,3.94153775 1.3305731,4.70585509 1.8305341,5.13486964 C2.33069565,5.56409016 3.0749216,5.4955055 3.49265877,4.98184141 L4.8760246,3.28143615 C5.71089731,2.25863908 7.1949372,2.1243532 8.19104884,2.98176443 C8.20769415,2.99597567 8.22413891,3.01059882 8.24038313,3.02522198 C9.18174573,3.92361924 9.26838157,5.42383144 8.43691815,6.43015171 L5.5610895,9.96627791 L5.53461744,9.99634806 C5.38079871,10.1792405 5.20090901,10.3370058 5.00076417,10.4640831 C4.04676718,11.0718709 2.80719278,10.901748 2.04211006,10.0579301 C1.59709864,9.56877523 0.850065046,9.54303024 0.374169553,10.0002613 C-0.100522665,10.4562566 -0.127195273,11.2205739 0.315008503,11.7099348 C1.3991598,12.9045024 2.99670869,13.4575049 4.56377459,13.1800768 C4.80503134,13.1364133 5.04287882,13.0742134 5.27470991,12.9934771 C6.09434113,12.7094584 6.82152068,12.1980598 7.37542854,11.5155086 L10.2440375,7.98947441 C11.0680808,6.96832503 11.4617524,5.65182909 11.3372134,4.33183184 C11.2235039,3.05137889 10.6100339,1.87267016 9.6365839,1.06427739\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/><path transform=\"translate(0, 5.762765)\" d=\"M7.78481199,8.39527139 L6.54864687,9.91484383 C5.73222439,10.9339336 4.27946967,11.1129128 3.25127068,10.3214088 C2.2300908,9.49612727 2.05361038,7.97696676 2.85719793,6.92821874 C2.87083505,6.91050619 2.88447217,6.89299959 2.89851039,6.87569896 L5.82387388,3.27984437 L5.84553284,3.25492322 C5.99915102,3.07203079 6.17924127,2.91447144 6.37938611,2.78739415 C7.23972815,2.23645131 8.34754387,2.31595185 9.12506044,2.98449782 C9.2157072,3.06235067 9.30073868,3.14700021 9.37915214,3.23782854 C9.60657122,3.50207514 9.93486491,3.6513961 10.2784001,3.64665902 C10.6175233,3.64171598 10.9377951,3.48498047 11.155588,3.21764447 L11.1696262,3.20034383 C11.5426416,2.74620216 11.5342187,2.07930388 11.1497722,1.63546021 C9.42768425,-0.367088286 6.45118155,-0.55698335 4.50107292,1.21159465 C4.32298813,1.37306725 4.15713665,1.54813319 4.00472174,1.73555674 L1.08738009,5.32173121 C-0.548874157,7.35084854 -0.312430505,10.3492133 1.62043117,12.0813364 C2.56821124,12.921447 3.80678291,13.3317192 5.05377751,13.2188532 C5.20097822,13.2064956 5.34697566,13.1875473 5.49176982,13.1613904 C6.61362375,12.9593437 7.63039162,12.3585585 8.36398864,11.4636626 L9.59594229,9.94923914 C10.0136795,9.43578101 9.94709821,8.67146367 9.44693666,8.24224316 C8.94677511,7.81302264 8.20254916,7.8816073 7.78481199,8.39527139\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/><\/svg> \n    <\/span>\n            <span class=\"eh-social-sharing-button__copied_text\">\n            URL copied for sharing!        <\/span>\n    <\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><h1 class=\"blog-template-title wp-block-post-title\">Beyond rainbow washing: Meaningfully supporting LGBTQ2S+ employees and coworkers<\/h1><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-query wp-block-hosts-query has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-query-is-layout-1 wp-block-query-is-layout-constrained\"><ul data-wp-interactive=\"eh-hosts\" class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-container-core-post-template-is-layout-1 wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li data-host-index=\"0\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.openDetail\" class=\"wp-block-post post-152 hosts type-hosts status-publish hentry\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-sm-font-size is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><h6 class=\"has-text-align-center has-link-color wp-elements-c7558c1c9e2b60b85b89e09ed14c4c61 wp-block-post-title has-text-color has-violet-500-color has-sm-font-size\">Jessica Johnson<\/h6><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group blog-template-meta-row is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-sm-font-size\" style=\"border-left-color:var(--wp--preset--color--neutral-700);border-left-width:1px;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--2)\">Published<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date has-sm-font-size\"><time datetime=\"2025-08-28T01:28:17-04:00\">Aug 28, 2025<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-sm-font-size\" style=\"border-left-color:var(--wp--preset--color--neutral-700);border-left-width:1px;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--2)\">Updated<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date__modified-date wp-block-post-date has-sm-font-size\"><time datetime=\"2025-08-28T01:34:51-04:00\">Aug 28, 2025<\/time><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"has-sm-font-size\" style=\"border-left-color:var(--wp--preset--color--neutral-700);border-left-width:1px;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--2)\"><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull blog-image-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized blog-template-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/06\/Beyond-rainbow-washing_-Meaningfully-supporting-LGBTQ2S-employees-and-coworkers-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"Beyond rainbow washing_ Meaningfully supporting LGBTQ2S+ employees and coworkers\" class=\"wp-image-4101\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover;width:864px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:66px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group sticky-side-panel is-vertical is-content-justification-stretch is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-13 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex wp-container-2 is-position-sticky\">\n<p class=\"has-lg-font-size\" style=\"border-bottom-color:var(--wp--preset--color--neutral-200);border-bottom-width:0.1rem;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--4);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--4)\"><strong>Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"content-single-table-content\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<div id=\"content-wrapper\" class=\"wp-block-group content-wrapper has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-14 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--4)\">\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">It\u2019s officially pride month which means you\u2019ve probably seen tons of rainbows floating around the internet and in real life (and rightfully so). But just as quickly as they\u2019re put up, soon storefronts will quietly take down their displays, rainbow merchandise will be removed from shelves, and company logos will revert to their original state.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Termed \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wired.com\/story\/lgbtq-pride-consumerism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rainbow-washing<\/a>\u201d, the happenings mentioned above are when companies use rainbow colours and\/or imagery to indicate progressive support for LGBTQ2S+ equality with minimum effort \u2013&nbsp;<em>AKA let\u2019s toss a rainbow on our logo for the month and earn consumer credibility<\/em>. Then BOOM, the first of July rolls around and everything is once again business as usual.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">While it\u2019s important to show support, without action, embracing the rainbow is merely a performance. And for some, it\u2019s an excuse to make a quick buck without actually supporting their queer employees and coworkers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">We get it though, a lot of you have the best of intentions and are looking for to show support in meaningful and lasting ways. This one\u2019s for you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understanding LGBTQ2S+ experiences in the workplace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">According to the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, 30% of LGBTQ2S+ employees in Canada report experiencing discrimination in the workplace. And a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.americanprogress.org\/issues\/lgbtq-rights\/reports\/2020\/10\/06\/491052\/state-lgbtq-community-2020\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2020 American Progress report<\/a>&nbsp;found that 62% of transgender respondents and 69% of nonbinary, genderqueer, agender, or gender nonconforming folks experienced discrimination that year, compared to 36% overall.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Despite progress in recent years, the reality is that many queer employees don\u2019t feel safe and included at work. In fact, research conducted by associate professor of labour studies and geography at McMaster University, Suzanne Mills, found that more than 50% of surveyed Canadian LGBTQ2S+ employees hid their sexual orientation and\/or gender identity in the workplace with fears of being stereotyped, making others feel uncomfortable, or losing relationships.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to support your people beyond pride month<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Support and protection of LGBTQ2S+ workers should be the standard, and you shouldn\u2019t have to wait for someone to tell you to make changes to feel motivated to be an ally. Below are just some ways you can meaningfully support LGBTQ2S+ folks at work year-round.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Create a feedback safe environment&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">This one\u2019s important for employers and people leaders, but remember that it\u2019s everyone\u2019s responsibility to create safe spaces. Provide&nbsp;channels for feedback, anonymous and otherwise. Prioritizing trust in the workplace means building a culture of psychological safety and honesty, where you and your team feel comfortable asking questions, and expressing thoughts and ideas. A large part of this is ensuring you create a safe and comfortable space for feedback. Whether this be via employee check ins or&nbsp;anonymous surveys, work with your employees to figure out the best way to facilitate an honest dialogue.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">We may think we&#8217;re doing all the right things until we make space for other perspectives \u2013 in which case, we may find we&#8217;re not doing enough at all. Make it easy to not only share thoughts and feedback, but also provide an easy-to-access way to report discrimination and hate \u2013 and then actually act on that information.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Prioritize inclusive language and respect people\u2019s pronouns&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Being mindful of the language we use is pivotal in creating an environment where everyone on our team feels respected, safe, and included.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.humi.ca\/grow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Acknowledging and encouraging the use of pronouns<\/a>&nbsp;is just one small step in confronting the implications of words and behaviours that have long gone unchallenged. Mistaking a coworker\u2019s pronouns may be a great source of stress and discomfort, which can make them feel isolated from the rest of the team. Adding pronouns on internal communications like Slack and email signatures, as well as asking and acknowledging people\u2019s pronouns in meetings can have a significant impact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Beyond pronouns, recognize common male-gendered phrases and make an effort to replace them with more inclusive language. For example, replace \u201chey guys\u201d with something gender-neutral like \u201chey folks\u201d or \u201chey team\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Check your hiring practices and LGBTQ2S+ representation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/prideatwork.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/PrideAtWork_2018_Round_FINAL-s.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">66% of LGBTQ2S+ said they would feel more comfortable<\/a>&nbsp;applying to an organization if they were to publicize all LGBTQ2S+ related policies (such as anti-discrimination policies and transition guidelines), and 64% if organizations explicitly stated they are LGBTQ2S+ friendly on job postings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Ensure your support and value for LGBTQ2S+ voices in the workplace comes across on all your employer branding channels, from your value proposition and career site to the platforms you use to promote your career opportunities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">If applicants can\u2019t see themselves within your organization, they simply won\u2019t be interested in working at your company. What is your diversity statement? Your inclusivity statement? What policies exist to support LGBTQ2S+ workers? Are there queer leaders in leadership roles at your company? Work with your hiring managers, HR reps, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) professionals to address these gaps so you can broaden your reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Get auditing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">You can\u2019t fix what you can\u2019t see \u2013 collect information on LGBTQ2S+ employees&#8217; representation and experiences in the workplace by&nbsp;conducting equity audits on talent processes and pay.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Ensure your organization isn\u2019t perpetuating pay gaps. And if your company doesn\u2019t have LGBTQ2S+ folks in executive positions, consider why and take actions to remedy this lack of representation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Don\u2019t rely on salary history in setting pay, that just perpetuates past inequities. Employees come and go, people get promoted \u2013 so even if you make necessary changes, the issue of pay inequity can creep up again. To keep your wages in check, conduct an audit every year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><strong>Diversity in the workplace benefits everyone<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Innovation stems from the ability to utilize different perspectives in approaching and finding solutions. Without a diverse team (i.e. diverse skills, cultural backgrounds, life experiences, and sexuality and gender), it\u2019s possible your company will lack those fresh perspectives that drive creativity and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Review your employee handbook&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Review and assess your&nbsp;organizational benefits. Do you offer benefits to employees in domestic partnerships, or civil unions? Does your health insurance cover gender reassignment surgery? Do you provide mental health benefits? Do you have any practices or policies in place to support an employee who may be transitioning?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Also make sure that your workplace discussions and practices avoid gender binary defaults \u2013 you can do this by adjusting your company policies to use inclusive language wherever possible. For example, change \u201chusbands and wives\u201d to \u201cpartners\u201d, and change \u201cmaternity leave\u201d to \u201cparental leave\u201d.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Donate to and support LGBTQ2S+ organizations throughout the year<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">LGBTQ2S+ organizations are doing the work 365 days a year and deserve (and need) your support beyond the month of June. Whoever you are, here are just some initiatives and charities in Toronto to check out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">2 Spirits Toronto<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.the519.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The 519<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blackqueeryouthcollective.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Black Queer Youth Collective<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.actoronto.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The AIDS Committee of Toronto<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theamyproject.com\/how-to-donate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The AMY Project<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/bindersout-chest-binders-for-all-trans-folx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BindersOUT<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/covenanthousetoronto.ca\/?_ga=2.19865912.1682543374.1654184960-1291091226.1654184960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Covenant House Toronto<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.friendsofruby.ca\/support\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Friends of Ruby<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.caseyhouse.com\/support-us\/donate-now\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Casey House<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gifttool.com\/donations\/Donate?AID=3283&amp;AID-3189&amp;ID=1783\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Inside Out Film Festival<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Prioritize an equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) strategy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Implementing a strong equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) strategy is pivotal in developing a workplace of inclusivity and belonging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get started with 91±¬ΑΟ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Did you know you can add pronouns to your 91±¬ΑΟ profile? It\u2019s just one small way we\u2019re helping you improve inclusivity and belonging at your company.&nbsp;Speak with our team&nbsp;to learn more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-2 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\" data-trigger-modal=\"request-a-demo-modal\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\">Learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-default has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-15 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-link-arrow is-style-link-arrow--3\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-btn-brand-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"\/resources\/?topic%5B0%5D%5B0%5D=Product\">View all<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query blog-3-col-query-loop is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here, you&#8217;ll discover meaningful and long-lasting ways to both embrace and support LGBTQ2S+ individuals in the workplace.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":4101,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_visual_mode":"business","_lite_auth_enabled":false,"_lite_auth_trigger_method":"scroll","_lite_auth_scroll_percent":25,"_lite_auth_click_element_query":"","exclude_from_algolia":false,"reading_time":"5 min read","display_reading_time":false,"download_content_type":"","download_file":"","download_url":"","download_cta_label":"","homepage_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[41,35],"resource-type":[30],"topic":[75],"learn_topic":[],"industry":[],"audience":[],"business-size":[],"product-tag":[],"funnel-stage":[],"region":[],"pain-point":[],"persona":[],"content_type":[],"post_features":[],"class_list":["post-678","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorised","tag-culture","tag-hr","resource-type-blog","topic-workplace"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/678","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=678"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/678\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4102,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/678\/revisions\/4102"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4101"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=678"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=678"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=678"},{"taxonomy":"resource-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource-type?post=678"},{"taxonomy":"topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic?post=678"},{"taxonomy":"learn_topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/learn_topic?post=678"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=678"},{"taxonomy":"audience","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/audience?post=678"},{"taxonomy":"business-size","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/business-size?post=678"},{"taxonomy":"product-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product-tag?post=678"},{"taxonomy":"funnel-stage","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/funnel-stage?post=678"},{"taxonomy":"region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/region?post=678"},{"taxonomy":"pain-point","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pain-point?post=678"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=678"},{"taxonomy":"content_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content_type?post=678"},{"taxonomy":"post_features","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_features?post=678"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}