LGBTQIA/Diversity Job Search
Coming out in an employment setting can be risky – do what you feel is in your best interest while also preserving your right to privacy. If you wish to brainstorm and practice handling this concern please call the Cascade Career Center at 971-722-5600 to make an appointment.
Links and Resources
- PABA – Portland Area Business Association www.paba.com (LGBT Chamber of Commerce for NW Oregon and SW Washington)
- Brave Space creates a community and facilitates access to expert and knowledgeable providers for transgender and non-binary children, youth, adults, and their families.
- www.bravespacellc.com For general inquiries: 503.486.8936 kate@bravespacellc.com
- New Avenues For Youth – www.smyrc.org
- Lots of resources are listed on the Q Center Website – www.pdxqcenter.org
- Bridges to Work – www.bridgestowork.org
- Human Rights Campaign – www.hrc.org/resources/entry/coming-out-in-the-workplace-as-transgender
- Out and Equal Work Place Advocates – www.outandequal.org
- LGBT CenterLink – www.lgbtcenters.org/Careers
- Pride at Work – www.prideatwork.org
- Out & Equal – Workplace equity www.outandequal.org/2017-workplace-equality-fact-sheet
- Article – Gender Neutral
- Queer Business Alliance (FB)
- National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)
- Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index 2021
- Finding the right school and LGBTQIA scholarships
- Information from Emmanuel College for Trans Job Seekers
- DEI Resources shared by the University of Iowa Pomerantz Career Center
- List of LGBTQI+ Friendly Employers
- Not sure how to come out at work – click on this link from About.com – career planning for more information
- Article – Job Search while LGBTQ – Finding the LGBT Inclusive place to work – The Muse
Professional Dress vs. Interview Dress
Bottom line – wear something professional that you are comfortable wearing.
The resource below is shared by the University of Wisconsin.
Professional Dress
- Khaki pants
- Skirts (knee-length)
- Dresses (knee-length)
- Sweaters (no cleavage showing)
- Nice shirts (no cleavage or shoulders showing)
- Scarves
- Nice boots/shoes
Interview Dress
- Suit with pants or skirt (knee length)
- Tie
- Blazer
- Pencil skirt (knee-length)
- Dress (knee length, no cleavage or shoulders showing)
- Plain blouse or shirt, such as blue, white (no cleavage showing)
- Black pants
- 1-2” closed toe heel
- Dress shoes
Articles on Attire
- Why I’m Genderqueer, Professional and Unafraid
www.huffingtonpost.com/jacob-tobia/genderqueer-professional-_b_5476239.html - Gender Neutral Interview and Business Clothing
www.thebalance.com/gender-neutral-interview-and-business-clothing-2061166 - How to Dress for an Interview as a Butch Dyke
www.theprofessorisin.com/2011/11/07/how-to-dress-for-an-interview-as-a-butch-dyke
Legal Resources for Gender Non-binary and Transgender Individuals
- Human Rights Campaign www.hrc.org/campaigns/support-the-equality-act
- Know Your Rights www.lambdalegal.org/know-your-rights/workplace
- Out at Work www.lambdalegal.org/publications/out-at-work
- Transgender Law and Policy www.transgenderlaw.org/employer/index.htm
- Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce www.wislgbtchamber.com
- Six Steps for Finding LGBT-Friendly Employers
www.fastcompany.com/3061746/six-steps-for-finding-lgbt-friendly-employers - Corporate Equality Index www.hrc.org/campaigns/corporate-equality-index
- Creating an LGBT Friendly Workplace www.business.tutsplus.com/tutorials/make-your-workplace-lgbt-friendly–cms-32756
- Coming out at Work www.hrc.org/resources/entry/coming-out-at-work
- Transgender Inclusion in the Workplace: Recommended Policies and Practices
www.hrc.org/resources/transgender-inclusion-in-the-workplace-recommended-policies-and-practices - From the US Dept. of Labor
- Frequently Asked Questions on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
- Worker Rights Fact Sheet on sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination
Professional Organizations
- Out & Equal – Workplace Advocates www.outandequal.org
- Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce www.wislgbtchamber.com
- Out Professionals www.outprofessionals.org
- National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals www.noglstp.org
- Federal Globe – Gay, Lesbian, Transgender Employees of the Federal Government www.glifaa.org/resources/partner-organizations
- NLGJA – The Association of LGBTQ Journalists www.nlgja.org
- Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Counseling www.algbtic.org
Magazines and Books
- LGBT Weekly www.twitter.com/lgbtweekly
- Echelon Magazine – online and offline about LGBTQ community and employment www.echelonmagazine.com
- Lambda Legal www.lambdalegal.org/publications/impact
Scholarships and Diversity Recruitment
- Advocate – online and offline about LGBT community www.advocate.com/business
- College Scholarships – www.collegescholarships.org/scholarships/lgbt-students.htm
- National Scholarships for LGBT Students www.hrc.org/scholarship-database/c/national
- Pride Foundation – www.pridefoundation.org/find-funding/scholarships
- The Pipeline Project – People of Color Leadership, Advancement, and Program Development Strategies for the LGBT Movement – Fellowship www.lgbtpipeline.org
- Lambda Legal – Making the Case for Equality www.lambdalegal.org/about-us/jobs
- Global Experiences – International Internship Programs www.globalexperiences.com/students/internships-abroad
- Victory – Gay and Lesbian Victory Institute – Building Successful LGBT Leaders – all-expenses covered, paid summer and/or fall/spring internships for LGBT students in
Washington, D.C. www.victoryinstitute.org/programs/victory-congressional-internship - Human Rights Campaign Internships www.hrc.org/hrc-story/internships
- GLAAD Career and Internship Opportunities www.glaad.org/internships
- GLAAD Fellowship Opportunities www.glaad.org/about/fellowships
- Columbia University Center for Career Ed. www.careereducation.columbia.edu/resources/diversity-recruitment-programs