Entrenched homophobia is still shaping the careers of LGBTQ+ professionals in the UK, according to a major new report that reveals how discrimination begins in education and persists throughout working life.
A survey of more than 1,000 LGBTQ+ professionals found that 85% have encountered obstacles at work directly linked to their identity. These include being passed over for promotion, underrepresentation in leadership and even verbal or physical abuse. The figures point to a pervasive culture of exclusion that continues to define the experiences of LGBTQ+ employees across industries.
The findings were compiled in the Pride in Leadership report, the most comprehensive study of LGBTQ+ leadership and professional experiences in the UK to date.
Abuse Persists Even at Senior Levels
Discrimination worsens as LGBTQ+ professionals climb the career ladder, with one in four LGBTQ+ business owners and entrepreneurs reporting abuse in the workplace.
Claire Ebrey, co-founder of business leaders’ network Pride in Leadership and founder of diversity firm On The Level Consultancy, called the research “truly groundbreaking” and said it demonstrated how little data has existed on LGBTQ+ experiences in the workforce until now.
“We hope [the report] will drive real change, empowering organisations and policymakers to create truly inclusive environments where LGBTQ+ professionals can achieve their potential,” she said.
LGBTQ+ Identity Shapes Educational and Career Paths
The report also shows that exclusion begins well before entering the workplace. More than a third (34%) of LGBTQ+ adults said their identity negatively impacted their education, with many recalling how they were urged to suppress who they were.
One participant, who was bullied at school, shared: “I was told I had brought it on myself… As a result, I drew into myself – directly impacting schooling and social development.”
More than half (56%) of LGBTQ+ professionals said they avoided certain roles or sectors for fear of discrimination. A further 16% believe they have been denied job opportunities outright due to their identity. One respondent recalled: “In a job interview, I was told they didn’t want poofs working for them.”
Workplace hostility is also reshaping where LGBTQ+ professionals choose to live and work. Four in five (80%) said their identity affects where they decide to settle, and a quarter have turned down jobs in regions they viewed as LGBTQ+-unfriendly.
A gay man said he had been approached for high-paying roles in the Middle East but refused to consider them, citing mental health and legal risks.
Still Hiding at Work
Although coming out in personal life has become more common, many LGBTQ+ professionals remain guarded at work. While 82% are out to colleagues by their mid-thirties, nearly a third (32%) hide their identity from clients or customers.
One participant said: “I’ve lost followers and potential customers when posting LGBTQ+ designs. It’s something I’m working on accepting.”
Matt Haworth, co-founder of Pride in Leadership and a Digital Entrepreneur of the Year award winner, said the report’s findings mirrored his own experience.
“This research reflects what I’ve seen as a gay leader. From homophobia in meetings to being invited on trade missions to a country where I could be sentenced to death just for being me… the playing field is far from level,” he said.
Referencing equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) that is seeing rollbacks in the United States, Haworth said that “[n]ow is not the time for organisations to step back from EDI initiatives. We need renewed commitment. Everyone deserves a fair chance to succeed – regardless of who they love or how they identify.”
Call for Reforms
The 90-page report outlines key reforms to tackle systemic inequality. They include:
- Stronger legal protections against workplace discrimination
- Inclusive hiring practices
- More LGBTQ+ role models in leadership
- Mandatory diversity and inclusion training
- A cultural shift to tackle everyday homophobia and transphobia disguised as banter
The report has been endorsed by figures including Baroness Barker, a member of the House of Lords.
“We are fortunate to be the first generation of LGBTQ+ people who can choose and pursue our professions without hiding essential parts of ourselves,” she said. “If we are not to be the last, and if we are to ensure future generations remain equally free, we must heed this report’s calls to action.”