SAN FRANCISCO — More Americans than before don’t care about who they work with when it comes to sexuality or gender expression, according to just-released survey results from Bospar, a San Francisco-based public relations firm.

Bospar conducted the survey specifically for the 50th anniversary of Pride Month, polling more than 2,000 American adults from May 24-31, 2019.  The PR agency discovered that 60% of Americans have no preference about with whom they work. Last year Bospar reported that percentage at 55%.

Now an overwhelming majority of Americans —83% — believe that LGBTQ equality will be achieved in the workplace.  When asked how, the top reasons cited included: more diversity in the workforce; more workplace education about LGBTQ issues; younger professionals joining the workforce; and more employees being out.

Overall, 68% of Americans think LGBTQ equality is improving.

However, there are still challenges to overcome:

  • Nearly a third of Americans say they have been harassed at work due to their sexuality
  • Over a third of Americans disagree with the transgender military ban
  • Nearly a half of the population (48%) say Chick-Fil-A’s donation to anti-LGBTQ organizations doesn’t matter
  • Nearly a third of Americans (29%) agree with Alabama Public Television’s decision to ban an episode of the children’s cartoon “Arthur” which featured a gay wedding; 41% thought it was the wrong thing to do.
  • A majority of Americans (77%) believe that LGBTQ topics should be taught in schools.  Middle school was the most popular choice (25%), followed by high school (21%) and K-6th grade (19%).

Americans had an overwhelmingly favorite communicator of LGBTQ equality in 2019 — Ellen DeGeneres. Here was the top 10:

  • Ellen DeGeneres
  • Lady Gaga
  • Neil Patrick Harris
  • RuPaul
  • George Takei
  • Madonna
  • Ariana Grande
  • Pete Buttigieg
  • Cher
  • Tim Cook

“Right now, several factors are contributing to what is a watershed moment in workplace social dynamics,” Gabrielle Ayala, a principal of Propeller Insights, an LA-based market research firm, said in a prepared statement.  “The inclusion of high-profile LGBTQ personalities in mainstream media, especially those that transcend that label like an Ellen DeGeneres, goes a long way in breaking down those stigmas that lead to discrimination and prejudice.  Combined with a social movement like #MeToo, which empowers people with its collective voice, the focus is shifting away from what people do in their personal lives to how people conduct themselves at the office, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.”

“These results show that more and more Americans are accepting their LGBTQ colleagues at work,” said Curtis Sparrer, a principal of Bospar PR.  “It’s a further sign of progress that the people Americans named as the top communicators of LGBTQ equality include entertainers, straight allies, business leaders, and politicians. That said, we have sexuality challenges to overcome, including harassment and the military ban on transgendered soldiers. When it comes to equality, I think baseball legend Yogi Berra said it best: ‘It ain’t over till it’s over.’”

You may read complete results of the survey by clicking here.

Image Sources

  • LGBTQ Workers: Shutterstock