Increased Support for Workplace Equality

ROCHESTER, NY -- According to the latest national Out & Equal Workplace Summit survey, three-quarters of heterosexual adults (76%) strongly agree that employees should be measured by their job performance, not their sexual orientation. In addition, more than half (55%) of heterosexual adults feel that regardless of sexual orientation, all employees are entitled to equal benefits on the job, such as health insurance for their partners or spouses.

These findings will be disclosed Thursday in the fourth annual Out & Equal Workplace Summit survey conducted by Harris Interactive® in conjunction with Witeck-Combs Communications. This national online survey of 2,242 U.S. adults, of whom six percent self-identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT), investigates workplace attitudes towards lesbians and gays as well as other populations including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, people with disabilities, women, seniors, Jews and Muslims.

The survey also shows that in the last three years, heterosexuals and LGBT adults increasingly consider diversity to be an important factor when deciding which company to work for. The survey finds that, all other things being equal:

- Nearly seven out of 10 (69%) heterosexuals consider it extremely or very important that a company offer equal health insurance benefits for all employees, compared to 57 percent in 2002.

- Fifty-seven (57%) of heterosexuals consider it extremely or very important that a company have a written non-discrimination policy that includes race, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation and disability, compared to only 43 percent in 2002.

- Almost nine out of 10 (88%) LGBT adults consider it extremely or very important that a company have a written non-discrimination policy that includes race, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation and disability, compared to 66 percent in 2002.

- More than eight out of 10 (81%) LGBT adults consider it extremely or very important that a company offers equal health insurance benefits for all employees, compared to 71 percent in 2002.

For the fourth year in a row, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, Witeck-Combs Communications and Harris Interactive® have teamed to provide these results, which will be made available on Thursday, September 22, at the opening session of the Out & Equal Workplace Summit in Denver, CO. The Out & Equal Workplace Summit is the nation’s leading conference for LGBT employees and human resources professionals addressing these issues in the workplace. Out & Equal Workplace Advocates is a non-profit organization that provides support and advocacy for the LGBT community in the workplace.

"Regardless of how Americans feel about LGBT issues, majorities still support fair treatment for their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender peers in the workplace," said Selisse Berry, executive director of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates. "Employers are demonstrating leadership in providing parity for LGBT people, helping all employees understand the value of diversity in the workforce."

In addition, the survey also found that LGBT adults are more comfortable with "being out" at the workplace today as compared to 2002 when the same survey questions were asked for the first time.

- Sixty-nine percent (69%) now report that they are comfortable – including those saying "extremely comfortable" (31%), "very comfortable" (13%) and "comfortable" (25%) – discussing their "after work" social life, including details about who they share time with, such as spouses, dates, friends or partners in their current or most recent job, compared to 53 percent overall – including those who said "extremely comfortable" (11%), "very comfortable" (24%) and "comfortable" (18%) – who said this in 2002.

- While overall, 68 percent of LGBT adults, compared to 61 percent in 2002, say they would be comfortable introducing their spouse, partner or significant other to their co-workers, in particular, more than half (55%) now say they would be "extremely" (40%) or "very" (15%) comfortable introducing their spouse, partner or significant other to their co-workers, compared to 35 percent who said this in 2002 (24% saying "extremely" and 11% saying "very").

"The prominence of LGBT issues in the media over the past couple years has enhanced the dialogue about gay issues in all facets of life, including the workplace," said Wesley Combs, president of Witeck-Combs Communications. "By being more visible on the job, LGBT Americans are helping their non-gay peers understand who they are and how their families are not treated equally when it comes to rights and benefits."

Earlier this week, with related findings, the Human Rights Campaign released the results of its annual Corporate Equality Index, which measures how equitably companies are treating their LGBT employees, consumers and investors. A total of 101 companies received a perfect score of 100 percent – an 80 percent increase from one year ago, when 56 companies received a perfect score.

"This year’s CEI benchmark is another clear example of how Corporate America is committed to making workplace equality a reality," added Selisse Berry. "As an advocate for safe and equitable workplaces for LGBT people, I could not be more pleased to see so many companies receive perfect CEI scores, recognizing them for valuing their LGBT employees and setting the standard for all employers to follow."