Building a More Inclusive Future: Empowering the LGBTQ+ Community

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It's Pride Month! And to celebrate we want to highlight the good, the bad… and what we in the tech community could be doing better to support the LGBTQ+ community. Why, you ask? Besides it being Pride Month, the tech industry is still not known for its diversity. By sharing some uncomfortable stats and positive milestones, we hope to spark a conversation and showcase what IT businesses could be doing better.

So, stay tuned and celebrate Pride Month with us!

The stats show the uncomfortable truth

Firstly, let’s crunch those numbers. The tech industry isn’t known for being the most diverse industry. With only 11% of people in tech identifying as LGBTQ+, we are on the rise, but we still aren’t representative of the population. This isn’t ok. BUT the industry is trying. GlassDoor reported in their LGBTQ+ Employee Experience report (2022) that the two top companies for the highest ratings of LGBTQ+ staff were tech companies. Take a look at the table below…

But before we start celebrating, we need to remember there is still a lot of work to be done. Although those two companies set the bar for the tech industry, there is still a needperception to attract LGBTQ+ members into tech. A study by the Institute of Engineering and Technology reported that 30% of LGBTQ+ people 13-23 want to avoid a role in tech. And with there being such a big skills gap, we need to look at what is deterring young LGBTQ+ people from entering this growing industry.

One possible reason could be the experience that the tech industry is providing. Across the board, the tech industry is seen as a non-diverse and, frankly, intimidating industry. Although many of us are actively trying to change this perception, we need to think of the LGBTQ+ experience in tech. Shockingly 40% of those who work in tech and identify as LGBTQ+ have experienced discrimination and harassment at work. And even though that number is bad enough, just to compare the experience in the same survey, only 8% of non-LGBTQ+ employees reported being harassed and discriminated against at work.

And this isn’t an isolated incident – it’s happening across the board. The Glassdoor report stated that LGBTQ+ employees are 128% more likely to discuss discrimination than non-LGBTQ+ employees.

Some of these discrimination-related keywords are:

  • Microaggressions

  • Discrimination

  • Harassment

  • Excluded

  • Bias

  • Prejudice

Words aren’t enough – we need action

So yes, while there are a few flickers of hope with LGBTQ+ stats in the tech industry, we also want to highlight the experiences that many within the community are still facing. There is still a lot to be done to advocate for change and empower more people to be their authentic selves in work, without the fear of backlash. That’s why Pride Month is needed – to start those uncomfortable conversations and bring that change for a better future for all.

But recognition and words are not enough. So in our next blog, we’ll be sharing ways that all of us in the tech industry can help turn this situation around and become more inclusive and attractive to the LGBTQ+ community. 

Look out for our next blog to see what actions you can take to fight for change!