Reflecting on Pride Month and Workplace Inclusivity in 2023

Great strides have been made in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace. But progress often comes with new challenges to overcome. Our vision is for a workplace where every individual can show up as their most authentic self. As Pride month comes to a close, we are sharing ways you can learn more about the experiences of LinkedIn members within the LGBTQ+ community and how to support them year-round.?

LGBTQ+ Leaders on Progress & the Road Ahead?

Join us on Thursday, June 29, for a live conversation with influential LGBTQ+ leaders about their identities and workplace experiences. Discover important perspectives on the progress being made, emerging hurdles to acceptance, and how we can all create spaces where everyone feels welcomed and valued. Register for the event and read below to learn more about our panelists: RSVP Now

Debbie Millman , Chair, Masters in Branding, School of Visual Arts

As Debbie Millman climbed the ladder in the design world, there was one thing she hid from her family, friends, and colleagues. A closeted professional, Debbie spent decades living a life in the workplace that wasn’t fully authentic. “I felt like I didn’t have the right to be free about who I was. I felt othered because of the homophobia that existed during the time I was growing up and I saw first hand how being gay often meant being ostracized,” she says.

It all changed in 2013, as Debbie writes for LinkedIn , when she finally “summoned the courage to heed her heart.” Considering the LGBTQ+ community that’s entering the workforce, she’s hopeful. “If members of Generation Z can continue to stand up for what has been hard won by elder generations, and corporations support their passion and power, we’ll be able to protect what we have gained.”

Julio G. Alvarez , Founder, Coach, Speaker

Julio G. Alvarez began pushing for safe and equitable spaces for his fellow LGBTQ+ coworkers in 2012 by working with his company’s employee resource group. In doing so, he knew right away that he was going out on a limb. “There was an implicit risk in choosing to put my neck out there,” he says. But he always knew there was a purpose to the work that made it important. “It was about creating a space for something bigger than me and for other people.”

When asked how people can support the LGBTQ+ community, Julio gives this advice:

??If you see yourself sitting on the sideline, ask yourself why that’s happening. What can you do to strengthen yourself to support the community?

??For every problem you identify, come to the table with two solutions.

??Be kind to yourself. This work is not easy.

Mila Jam , Artivist, Senior Advisor

Knowing there are unique challenges for her and her trans peers, artist Mila Jam approaches art and advocacy the same way. “As an artist, I know there is always more I can do. There’s no limit. The same goes for Gen Z who are coming up. They can ask what more can be done.” For Jam, there’s a constant eye toward improving things for her community. She gives allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community the same advice. “If you see something, say something,” she says. “Progress in today’s climate is action. People need to show up and put in effort.”

Learning to Make Work More Inclusive

To enable greater workplace inclusion, we’re offering a selection of free LinkedIn for Learning courses throughout June and July. Led by LGBTQ+ professionals and allies, these sessions illuminate opportunities for creating deeper belonging in professional environments:

• Understanding and Supporting LGBTQ+ Employees ?with Rhodes Perry, MPA (he/him)
• Succeeding as an LGBT Professional with Dorie Clark
• Becoming an Ally to All with Kenji Yoshino
• Awareness to Action: Level Up as a Change Agent in Your Organization with Janice Gassam Asare, Ph.D.
• Out and Proud: Approaching LGBT Issues in the Workplace with Jacqui Lloyd
• Using Gender Inclusive Language with Lori Nishiura Mackenzie

Duolingo and LinkedIn Demystify Workplace Jargon?

Making workplaces more inclusive often starts with ensuring language is accessible and easy to understand. When you’re starting a new job — whether it’s your first position or a fresh step in your career journey — learning the language of a new workplace can be tough. To help ease this transition, Duolingo and LinkedIn came together to understand the role of workplace jargon in creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace.?

Our joint research, dubbed “The State of Workplace Jargon,” found that nearly half of professionals around the world want to eliminate or reduce the use of workplace jargon in their workplace and that overuse of jargon can sabotage productivity with miscommunication and wasted time. Learn more about our global findings and get tips on how to communicate more clearly at work here .

It’s easiest to do your best work when you can show up as your most authentic self. Our vision for the workplace is for it to be somewhere that celebrates the unique skills and identities of each individual employee. As Pride month comes to a close, it’s especially important to reflect on the progress our LGBTQ+ colleagues have made and learn how to support them year-round. Making belonging a priority will dismantle barriers to success and open up a new world of possibilities.?

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