Whether you are a social service agency, small business or large corporation, there is always something you can do to make your business more accepting to gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans clients or customers. Here are some tips for making your organization or business more gay-friendly.
Time Required: On-Going
Here's How:
- Develop an anti-slur and anti-harassment policy for clients and staff.
- Include sexual orientation and gender identity in your non-discrimination policy.
- Have positive images of gays and lesbians displayed in your workplace. If books or literature are displayed, be sure to include some gay and lesbian titles.
- Support out staff members by encouraging them to talk about their partners and family. Make sure your family leave policies an benefits programs are equitable.
- Start or sponsor a LGBT employee group.
- Encourage LGBT employees to bring their partners and children to events where families are welcome.
- Celebrate Gay Pride Month in June or Gay and Lesbian History Month in October. Consider sponsoring or marching in a gay pride parade.
- Establish relationships with organizations and businesses that serve LGBT populations.
- Organize a volunteer day and help out a LGBT youth organization or HIV prevention program.
- Do not assume that LGBT orientation is a problem.
- Provide at least one bathroom that is gender neutral.
- Don't assume your clients, customers or employees are heterosexual.
- Invite an out gay or lesbian person to sit on your board of directors.
- Advertise in the LGBT media.
- Support political campaigns that support LGBT rights. Publicly oppose ones that take away rights.
