In an unexpected landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that employers could not discriminate against LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) workers for their sexual orientation or gender identity. As an automotive executive, I wondered how the Supreme Court's decision affected the 100+-year-old automotive industry, which was known for its "car guy" culture and "good ole boys" executive circles for most of its existence. And while this story began as an industry-focused analysis of LGBTQ diversity and inclusion initiatives, it ended with an iconic company admitting a 52-year-old misdeed and a brave group of executives sharing their authentic selves.
Discrimination remains widespread
LGBTQ workplace discrimination is rampant in all industries. Millions of Americans have expressed negative sentiments and disparaging views, whether for personal or religious reasons, of those with non-conforming sexual orientations and gender identities. As a marginalized group, nearly 1 in 4 LGBTQ employees experience workplace bullying and public humiliation, according to a Ford Foundation-sponsored study by the Kapor Center. In another study sponsored by Ernst & Young, Out Leadership found that 47% of LGBTQ workers experienced microaggressions, and as a result, 70% engaged in covering behaviors to conceal their LGBTQ characteristics.
Beck Bailey, Workplace Equality Director with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), reports that 53% of LGBTQ workers heard jokes about lesbian or gay people at least once in a while, and 20% stayed home from work to avoid discrimination. Formulating opinions about LGBTQ workers based on their assumed characteristics – and not their merits – also explains why LGBTQ workers are more likely to face income inequality and poverty, according to UCLA’s Williams Institute. Given these harsh realities, it's no surprise that 46% of LGBTQ workers say they are closeted at work.
Discrimination affects the LGBTQ community differently, which explains why some subsets are more likely to identify at work: lesbians are the most likely; gay men are second; and transgender people the least. Martine Rothblatt, CEO of United Therapeutics and Founder of Sirius XM, is transgender and a well-known advocate for LGBTQ rights. She states, "I believe that transgender people do, in fact, face more discrimination than other members of the LGBTQ community. Statistically, our numbers are smaller, and the general perception towards the transgender group remains negatively biased."
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