Gay and Transgender Issues in the Workplace

     When money is tight, people are less focused on what are considered non-essentials. Because of our own financial losses, Ray and I know that we can’t afford now to give as generously as we have in the past to organizations seeking help. We need to prioritize. We’re all going to do so differently. Ray’s and my priority right now is to help people who are in need of food, shelter, and clothing. In the past, we’ve been able to support charitable organizations that address those needs as well as organizations that seek equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. For the time being, we don’t have enough money to do both, so we need to make choices.

     The same is true in corporations. As much as I want them to prioritize training on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues, and as critical as I think it is to focus on diversity when people become less accommodating because of their financial fears, most companies will probably decide to cut back on the amount they spend on training. One client today cancelled trainings that were scheduled for November and March.

     That does not mean that I will save my breath on equal justice for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, nor does it mean that our progress will stagnate. I will continue to write and speak about the issues as often as I’m able. I’ll send letters to the editor, and e-mails to the President-elect and all those elected officials who are supposed to represent my needs. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender ERGs need to do the same — advocating consistently for a safe and productive work environment, seeking representation on executive diversity councils, continuing to court the enthusiastic vocal support of their executive sponsors — and use their limited budget money wisely in educating others on our issues. Instead of an outside speaker, they might use audio visual resources and a panel of local employees during an awareness workshop. Instead of pushing for sponsorship of a local community event, they might ask for a corporate ad in the event’s program. Instead of requesting that the same number of people as this year be sent to next year’s Out and Equal Conference in Orlando, they might think through which gay and straight employees most need to attend in order for the group to continue effectively and then just ask for money for those people to go.

     Just as Ray needs to know that I’m a team member with him, and I need to know that he’s a team member with me in cutting our expenses, corporations need to know that their ERGs are also team members who are thinking of creative ways to save money during this current financial crunch. In the long run, it will pay off. Likewise, gay and transgender organizations need to approach their donors with realistic expectations of what monies are available and not allow their supporters to feel self-conscious about their inability to maintain last year’s standard of giving.

     I expect that on Tuesday, November 4, the United States will be electing Barack Obama and Joe Biden to guide us through the next four to eight years, and that Democrats will dominate both the House and the Senate. As a result, I feel that we will see the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and the passage of the Hate Crimes Bill and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, with transgender protections included. We will lose more public votes on marriage for gay people but more states will decide to guarantee us those rights. More openly gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people will serve their country in political office, appointed positions, and in the Armed Services. More companies will seek gay consumers through advertisements in mainstream publications. Gay Federal employees will see significant advances in the workplace. More gay characters will appear in films and in television programs. Fewer teens will be bullied in school. It will be easier to come out. 

     All of this will happen because of all of the money we have contributed in the past and because of all of the hard work we will continue to do in the future, but with less money in our pockets to spend. 

     If you want to brainstorm about how to keep doing the work you’re doing at a corporation but with less money, don’t hesistate to get in touch with me at brian@brian-mcnaught.com. If you are an organization that is looking for an increase in financial support from us, or even for us to stay at the same level, please contact us at a later date.