Discrimination stops lesbian workers coming out

Three-quarters of LGBTQ+ women and non-binary professionals are reluctant to come out at work due to fear of discrimination, according to research released in April to mark Lesbian Visibility Week.

The survey by networking group myGwork found that gender non-conforming and queer people experienced the highest rates of discrimination, followed by cis-gender women (76%), gender fluid people (75%), intersex people (68%), trans women (66%) and non-binary workers (65%).

Nearly eight out of 10 LGBTQ+ women and non-binary workers said their sexual orientation or gender identity was hampering their career prospects. Those from ethnic minority backgrounds found it even tougher to break through the glass ceiling.

Of more than 2,000 employees surveyed across the United States, Canada and the UK, less than 10% held senior leadership roles and only 3% were chief executives or company founders.

Adrien and Pierre Gaubert, co-founders of myGwork, said the findings “confirm that lesbians are statistically less likely than their gay male colleagues to be out at work, face much higher rates of discrimination and are not getting the adequate support they need to progress”.