Let’s all become visible allies to the 2SLGBTQ+ community
Hands-on tips and ideas for organizations and employees to create safer and inclusive workspaces for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Co-created with organizations and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Part 1: Ideas for creating an inclusive workplace
EDUCATE:
Organize trainings and workshops for your employees at all levels with topics such as;
Understanding bias and microaggressions
Using inclusive language and the importance of pronouns
How to demonstrate visible allyship
Key terms explained (gender identity, sexual orientation etc.)
DEMONSTRATE:
Publish your policies around 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion, equal opportunity, anti-sexual harassment and anti-discrimination on your website and share it with new members as part of their onboarding
Introduce inclusive facilities such as all-gender bathrooms for employees
Offer equal opportunities such as parental leave inclusive of all genders, sexual orientations and family constellations
Include transition related-care in your medical insurance employees
Make sure that your branding and marketing position is inclusive of all identities
CELEBRATE:
Celebrate and participate in key events during the year such as PRIDE season, Trans Day of Visibility, Pride parades
Have 2SLGBTQ+ supportive materials visible in the office space such as rainbow stickers, posters etc.
Part 2: Tips for being a great 2SLGBTQ+ ally in the workplace
EDUCATE:
Read up on 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion (some great online resources can be found here)
Participate in company trainings and workshops around equality & inclusion
Understand the barriers the 2SLGBTQ+ community faces and take action against any kind of oppression
Keep learning. There is always more to know. The best practices keep evolving.
DEMONSTRATE:
Respect and treat everyone the way you want to be treated yourself
Use inclusive and positive language and avoid making assumptions
Be conscious of microaggressions and biases – we often just speak our mind without thinking of the impact the words can have on the other person
Be mindful of the impact of language, for instance instead of asking “do you have a boyfriend?” you can ask “do you have a partner?”
Actively engage in conversations related to 2SLGBTQ+ topic: for instance you can talk to your colleagues about 2SLGBTQ+ related movies that you have seen or articles that you have read
If comfortable, share your pronouns with new people that you meet and include in your email signature, corporate profile, social media etc.
Request information by starting with yourself and asking others – “Hi, I am Jane. My pronouns are she, her. Are you comfortable sharing how you like to be addressed?” Then lead with a ‘Why’ – “We want to know how to address you while contacting you on phone.”
Put 2SLGBTQ+ supporting stickers on your computer/badge/phone
CELEBRATE:
Participate in 2SLGBTQ+ celebrating events such as Pride parades, online webinars, workshops on 2SLGBTQ+ topics etc. and encourage others to join too