Over Half of LGBTQ Workers Won’t Work in States with anti-LGBTQ Legislation

There has been an onslaught of anti-LGBTQ bills being introduced since 2022, and that’s only continued going into 2023. Since 2022, the ACLU found that the record amount of anti-LGBTQ bills has risen from 315 to over 490 bills and counting. The concern over anti-LGBTQ legislation is seeping into the workplace as well. Indeed found that 65% of LGBTQ workers are concerned about how the legislation will affect their employment opportunities. Fifty-two percent said that they would never apply for a position in a state with anti-LGBTQ legislation.

Indeed conducted this survey in April and May of this year with 732 full-time workers in the United States that were over the age of 18 and identified as members of the LGBTQ community. Seventy-seven percent said that they would hesitate even if a company was headquartered in a state with anti-LGBTQ legislation. 

The risk of discrimination isn’t worth it for LGBTQ workers, especially since it’s so prevalent in this political climate. Sixty percent of the workers surveyed believe they were passed up for a promotion due to their LGBTQ identity. Fifty-seven percent believe they were targeted for a performance improvement because they identified as LGBTQ. Forty-seven percent of LGBTQ workers believe they are paid less because of how they identify. This has caused 26% of workers to remain closeted in their workplace. Of that 26%, 46% say it’s due to the fear of discrimination; 35% say it is the fear harassment, and 24% are concerned about their career advancement. 

While only 30% of LGBTQ workers stated that they have experienced discrimination at a previous employer, 51% of trans participants said they face additional stigma than their LGBTQ counterparts due to their gender identity or expression. Sixty-two percent of trans workers feel pressured to manage their identity at work, and 38% feel the need to hide it.  

LGBTQ workers are not only looking to mitigate the risk of discrimination, but they’re also looking to be protected from it. Eighty-seven percent researched their employer to see if they were LGBTQ friendly, and 45% checked for inclusive employee benefits. Fifty-seven percent of surveyors reported that they believe it’s important for an employer to have LGBTQ-specific employee benefits like LGBTQ diversity training, short-term medical leave, pharmaceutical coverage, paid caregiver leave, fertility/adoption leave, and benefit extensions to domestic partners of employees. LGBTQ workers want more out of their workplaces that are failing to provide a safe working environment.

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