[TRIGGER WARNING: This blog post contains references to sexual harassment in the workplace]
Unfortunately, workplace discrimination against members of the LGBTQ+ community remains a widespread and prevalent problem. Nearly half (46%) of LGBTQ+ employees say they have experienced unfair treatment in the workplace, according to a 2022 Joint Study by the Center for American Progress and NORC, a nonpartisan research group based at the University of Chicago that compared the experiences of non-LGBTQ+ people to those who identify as LGBTQ+. Among the worrying findings:
- 46% of LGBTQ+ people have suffered mistreatment or injustice at work.
- 57% report that the abuse was motivated by religious beliefs.
- 36% of BIPOC LGBTQ+ people report being verbally harassed, while 26% of white LGBTQ staff report the same.
- And 34% have reported having left work due to mistreatment by their employer.
My experiences of abuse in the workplace.
As a queer, non-binary and transmasculine personI have experienced various forms of mistreatment in the workplace, compared to my cis-het coworkers (cisgender or “cis” means identifying with the gender you were assigned at birth; heterosexual or “het” means identifying as heterosexual).
When I worked for a nonprofit organization, I was subjected to sexual harassment by my immediate supervisor. During my five years of employment at this agency, my supervisor entered my office, locked the door, and then exposed herself in front of me while she blocked the only exit.
All I could do was avoid encouraging this behavior and wait for her to stop so I could leave my office safely. I wish I could say that I went to HR immediately to report the abuse. But it took me months to report what happened, and during that time my supervisor continued to be inappropriate. She would call me, sometimes sober and sometimes drunk, at all hours of the day or night, send me inappropriate photos of herself, throw trauma at me, or ask me to bring her beer to her apartment so she wouldn’t have to. . drive.
How I Handled Harassment in the Workplace
Since I felt uncomfortable talking to the only HR employee at this agency, I decided to write a formal letter of complaint about my supervisor and the unacceptable things she did to me. I sent this letter to the HR staff, who said she would look into things.
The abuse continued for the five years I worked there. When I felt like I couldn’t take it anymore, I ignored the chain of command and sent a second letter, with more evidence and records of the abuse I was subjected to, to the director of the agency.
I was finally taken seriously and an investigation was launched into my supervisor. During this investigation, my supervisor quit her job to avoid being fired for sexual harassment, and I was told that my employer could no longer pursue my complaints about it. I quit smoking a few weeks later.
Food for take away
If you or a loved one is a victim of a hostile work environment or is being discriminated against because of your LGBTQ+ identity, know that you are not alone. This is a widespread problem and affects many of us. Make sure you prioritize your safety and, if you can, consider speaking out about the mistreatment you receive.
Some things you can do to combat workplace abuse include:
- Start an LGBTQ+ group/club at your workplace and build a community
- Reach out to local agencies that advocate for LGBTQ+ rights for support.
- Track these events and report them to HR or someone in senior management.
- Help your LGBTQ+ coworkers who are at higher risk of workplace mistreatment
For more information on LGBTQ+ employment discrimination, check out this Human Rights Campaign Article or this US government article on moving towards equality in the workplace.
If you or someone you know is being sexually harassed at work, there are resources available to help you.
