Transgender Inclusion: Start the Conversation

Cover image for The Cost of the Closet and the Rewards of Inclusion
Trans Inclusion at the Workplace

These are not meant to “test” your knowledge but more to invite a dialogue and learning experience for everyone. You can use these to take a personal inventory of your experience with transgender inclusion – or as conversation starters with your ERG, D&I team or other work groups.

  • How does our LGBTQ employee group or network specifically welcome transgender co-workers? Do we have openly transgender members? Planned programming specifically on transgender inclusion?
  • What constitutes transgender allyship? Ask yourself this question or discuss on a group level. To go to a more personal level, ask your openly transgender friend exactly how you can be a good ally to them.
  • If I witnessed a colleague being inappropriate to a transgender or gender non-conforming customer/client, I would_________________. If a colleague made an inappropriate comment or joke about a transgender or gender nonconforming co-worker (or transgender people, generally) in my presence, I would__________________.
  • Imagine you are representing your company at a college job fair. How would you communicate your diversity & inclusion efforts – including efforts around transgender inclusion – to prospective applicants?
  • My company actively engages with, or supports, the transgender community by _______________.
  • Have our executives spoken specifically about transgender inclusion?
  • What would it mean for the company to become more inclusive and open to transgender employees?

The Need to Speak Up is Clear: Harsh Workplace Realities for Transgender People

According to HRC's 2014 workplace climate survey and report, The Cost of the Closet and the Rewards of Inclusion:

  • 40% hear jokes about transgender people in the workplace.
  • 42 % of transgender workers fear getting fired for disclosing who they are.
  • 40% of transgender workers report "fear for personal safety" as a reason for not being open.

Visit us at www.HRC.org/resources/workplace to learn more and read our workplace climate reports.

Download

Transgender Inclusion Conversation Starters

Download PDF