Queer and trans students have much to consider when navigating their careers. In addition to finding work you enjoy and excel in, you must also discern which workplaces and work cultures will affirm your gender and sexual identity, and how to authentically represent yourself to employers. Know that these experiences are shared by many others and that you offer a unique set of skills based on your major, your background, and your lived experiences.
For more information and to connect and be in community with others, check out the opportunities available with the OSU Pride Center and OSU Women and Gender Center.
Talking About Identity in the Workplace
It is important to know that you do NOT have to disclose your LGBTQ+ identity at any point in the hiring process. This decision is entirely up to you and how comfortable you feel talking about your sexual orientation, sex or gender expression in a workplace context. If you do choose to disclose, there are generally three opportunities to come out to an employer:
- On your resume/cover letter/application
- In an interview
- After you’ve started working for the organization
Questions to consider:
- Is the company you’re interested in an LGBTQ+ friendly organization?
- Do you feel comfortable/safe disclosing your identity as LGBTQ+ to the organization?
- Do you talk about previous experiences (internships, clubs, awards, etc.) that relate to LGBTQ+ advocacy or topics?
Coming "out" in an interview
Regardless of whether you plan to “come out” in the interview stage, the primary focus of the interview should be to sell your skills. That said, the interview is a great time to get some clarification about how supportive the company is to the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, since background checks/hiring paperwork will ask for legal names and prior names, the interview can be a time to assess an employer’s inclusivity.
Questions to consider asking an employer in an interview:
- “Would you say that your company has a diverse employee base?”
- “Do you offer same-sex benefits for benefits and health insurance?”
- “Does your organization have an LGBTQ support or social group?”
Comfortable disclosing LGBTQ+ identity:
- Treasurer, OSU PRIDE CENTER
- Outstanding Ally to the LGBTQ Community Award Recipient
- LGBTQ+ Journeys Retreat Leader
Not comfortable disclosing LGBTQ+ identity:
- Treasurer, Student Diversity Campus Group
- Lavender Graduation Award Recipient
- Journeys Retreat Leader
Resume Sample Highlighting LGBTQ+ Involvement
Work Experience
Internal Coordinator, Pride Center, Oregon State University | Sept. 2008 - Present
- Hired, trained, and provided ongoing supervision of 4 office assistants
- Facilitated weekly meetings to improve staff communication on community issues, campus events, and Pride Center goals and services
- Served as a liaison to the greater OSU community and solicited student feedback on programs
- Created engaging presentations and workshops about the queer community for new incoming students at orientation sessions
Community Involvement
Rainbow Continuum | Sept. 2008 - Present
- Coordinated recruitment of 20+ volunteers for the annual campus-wide drag show, which draws over 200 people engaging with the campus LGBTQ community
- Designed marketing fliers and social media content using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
Workplace Protections for LGBTQ+
According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), “Sex discrimination involves treating someone (an applicant or employee) unfavorably because of that person's sex. Discrimination against an individual because of gender identity, including transgender status, or because of sexual orientation is discrimination because of sex in violation of Title VII…The law forbids discrimination when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, etc."
Additionally, it is not legal for an LGBTQ person to be harassed in a workplace because of their identity.
The EEOC says: “Harassment can include ‘sexual harassment’ or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. Harassment does not have to be of a sexual nature, however, and can include offensive remarks about a person's sex. For example, it is illegal to harass a woman by making offensive comments about women in general.”
How to Handle Interview Discrimination
Legally, there are interview questions that may not be asked. If you receive a question that makes you uncomfortable and may be illegal, here are a couple of options for responding:
- If you feel comfortable answering, you may choose to respond to the question as asked. Consider keeping the answers short and related to your skills and experience only.
- If you do not feel comfortable answering, you may decide to redirect or decline to answer. For example, ask the interviewer to help you understand why the question is relevant to the position or answer the parts of it you do feel comfortable with. You may be as graceful or direct with any of these approaches depending on your comfort.
For more information on illegal interview questions and employment discrimination, see:
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Information and how to file a discrimination complaint against an employer)
- A U.S. Department of Labor presentation on illegal or inappropriate interview questions (PDF)
Job or Internship Search Resources
What should I consider when applying to a company?
An LGBTQ+ friendly organization is one that proactively and intentionally protects lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals from discrimination. Many of these companies also help organize support groups and social events for the LGBTQ + individuals who work for them. Here are some questions to reflect on before applying to any company:
- Is it important to work at an organization that I know is explicitly LGBTQ+ friendly?
- What does working for a diverse company mean to me?
- Is the organization in a community/region known to be hostile to LGBTQ+ individuals?
- Does the organization provide same-sex partner benefits?
- Is there an LGBTQ+ employee resource group?
- Does the organization have at least one gender-neutral restroom?
- Does the organization sponsor or participate in activities or events that support the LGBTQ+ community?
Where can I research LGBTQ+-friendly organizations and regions?
- The Human Rights Campaign has great resources. Learn about legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community in every state by visiting the HRC’s Map of State Laws and Policies.
- Identify LGBTQ+-friendly companies based on policies, benefits and trainings, with the Corporate Equality Index.
- Check out the HRC’s best places to work.
- Also consider Googling the region using key words such as “LGBTQ organizations” or “LGBTQ+ friendly” and researching school systems for support and policies.
- Campus Pride Career Connect also lists LGBTQ+ friendly employers and provides personalized mentoring specifically for LGBTQ+ candidates
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Considerations for Transgender Career Seekers
Should I use my chosen name on a resume or cover letter?
You are not required to list your legal name on resumes and cover letters. There are several options for listing your name, for example (Legal Name) “John Black”; (Chosen Name) “Janessa Black”; (Initial Format) “J.L. Black”. All are appropriate; do what feels right to you.
Should I put my pronouns on my resume?
It’s up to you! There is nuance to including your pronouns on your resume, and you must carefully consider what feels best for you. Some reasons to consider including your pronouns on your resume are:
- Allows you to safely “test the waters” of the company so you can assess a company’s values around diverse gender identity
- Allows the hiring committee to address you appropriately based on your gender identity, avoiding accidental misgendering
- Normalizes the usage of pronouns in professional settings
Some reasons to consider leaving off your pronouns on your resume are:
- Unconscious bias is an unfortunate reality that may affect your employment chance (and can be difficult to prove in court)
- When you’re not fully ready to be “out” at work
- Pronoun use on resumes is not currently a common professional practice
Will I have to use my legal name at any point in the job search?
Background checks generally require you submit your legal name plus any prior legal names used. Additionally, if you have not yet legally changed your name, you will need to provide your legal name for social security and insurance forms. However, most organizations allow you to use your preferred name for company contact information and directories.
How should I dress for an interview?
When it comes to dressing for an interview, it is important that you present yourself in a fashion that is consistent with your identity and appropriate for the position/industry. It is your choice how you express gender in a workplace context. How you present yourself in an interview will help the employer understand how you plan to express yourself in the daily operations of the job and the pronouns you wish to use.
LGBTQ+ Resources
Guides and Resources
HRC’s Transitioning in the Workplace
Zippia LGBTQ Workplace Resource Guide
Intersectional Organizations
Asian Pacific Islander Queer Women and Transgender Coalition
Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement
The East Coast Two Spirit Society
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Transgender Resources
National Center for Transgender Equality
Mid Willamette Transgender Support Network
Science, Health & Medicine
GLMA: Health Professions Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality
National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals
Queer Science: LGBTQ Scientist Discusses Coming Out at Work
Gay & Lesbian Medical Association
Gay & Lesbian Veterinary Medical Association
American Psychological Association Division 44: Society for the Study of LGBTQ Issues
Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Counseling
Law & Government
International Lesbian & Gay Law Association
Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies
Business, Tech & Engineering
O4U Marketing; O4U Business; O4U Tech; O4U Engineering
Advocacy Organizations
Trans Student Education Resources