Question of the month: Where do I find LGBTQ information?
Maybe you have heard some form of this question recently. Perhaps it came from a client, an employee, or as part of an RFP.
For us, clients have been increasingly asking about this information, and we’ve been happy to direct them to the details we provide on same-sex relationships, legislation, and culture as it relates to their employees’ business presence in a particular country.
But we wanted to do more. And the Global Mobility industry has been asking for more. As Jason Suto from BlackRock said on a recent FEM panel, “People have to feel valued, respected, and safe at any organization.” Educating all employees helps satisfy those needs. And so we have extracted, developed, and given a distinct place in our country reports to specific LGBTQ+ content.
Through this ongoing project, there are now “LGBTQ+” articles under “Family Matters” in 60 of our destinations. And the list is growing.
Developing additional content for this topic has revealed some interesting points. One is the fact that certain languages – like Czech, for example — are heavily gender-based, and adopting more inclusive, gender-neutral terms can be more of a challenge in these places. Another is that some nations have achieved such a level of inclusiveness – as Norway has — that LGBTQ groups are fewer than elsewhere, due partly to less need for advocacy as well as less social distinction among the larger population.
As companies’ policies and strategies evolve, the need to be informed will continue to build. While by no means exhaustive, here are a few organizations that operate around the world and provide meaningful information for specific countries:
Equaldex
Collaborative LGBT knowledge base providing timelines, maps, and other displays of legislation on various topics worldwide.
ILGA World
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association is a worldwide federation of more than 1,600 organizations from over 150 countries and territories campaigning for human rights. Established in 1978, ILGA World has ECOSOC consultative status at the United Nations.
International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association
Provides travel resources and information while continuously working to promote equality and safety within LGBTQ+ tourism worldwide. IGLTA’s members include LGBTQ+ friendly accommodations, transport, destinations, service providers, travel agents, tour operators, events and travel media located in over 80 countries.
OutLeadership
Global LGBTQ+ business network. Scroll down for briefs on LGBTQ+ business climate score, current legal status, and impact of discrimination on business and talent for 25 countries.
Stonewall Workplace Briefings
Briefings outline the legal, socio-cultural and workplace situation for LGBT people in the specific countries, advise employers on how they can create inclusive and equal workplaces for LGBT employees around the world, and showcase progressive workplace practices.
Workplace Pride Foundation
Not-for-profit foundation dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTIQ+ people in workplaces worldwide, striving for a world of inclusive workplaces where LGBTIQ+ people can truly be themselves, are valued and, through their contributions, help to lead the way for others.
Written by Ellen Harris, GMS, Product Manager, Content Group
