In 29 states, including Pennsylvania, you could be fired for being gay — 37 if you’re transgender, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no federal law that protects lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning individuals from employment discrimination — something LGBTQ students and alumni need to be aware of, says Kathleen Anderson, the Steinbright Career Development Center’s employer relations and cooperative education coordinator.
Students and alumni should also know where to find LGBTQ-friendly employer information, how to list LGBTQ-related experiences on their résumés and how to handle coming out during a job interview, if they want to.
That’s why Steinbright, Drexel University’s full-service career center, this year partnered with OUT for Work, a national certification program to help enhance LGBTQ career resources.
“This way, students and alumni can get all their information ahead of time and then handle it comfortably, however they
want to handle it,” says Anderson, Steinbright’s LGBTQ project team leader.
Anyone with a Drexel email address can access the OUT for Work Career Center Library.
Recent civil engineering graduate Rebecca Reyman says she was happy to hear Steinbright was offering support for LGBTQ
job seekers.
Reyman says that during one workday, she was outed, had to field inappropriate questions and had coworkers explain in long-form how they feel about same-sex couples.
“It is important that Drexel provides LGBTQ-specific support, and ensures that companies that choose to take part in the co-op program are inclusive, safe and comfortable for students,” Reyman says. “I hope now that these services are available at Steinbright, students will take advantage of this great opportunity.”
As the nation transitions, Anderson says she has found that being gay can be a “big plus” during today’s hiring process.
“There are many companies that are looking for diversity in their workforce,” Anderson says. “If that helps give you a leg up among all the other people looking for a job, and you’re comfortable, you might as well use it.”
But limiting a student’s job search to only LGBTQ-friendly workplaces is not Steinbright’s intent, Anderson says.
“If there are 25 companies in Philadelphia that are rated LGBTQ-friendly, you’re not just going to apply to those,” she says. “This is all about helping students get to be successful in their career search, and on the job, wherever they are headed.”