Those who identify as allies of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people are far more supportive of equality in the workplace

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

More than one quarter of Americans consider themselves to be an ally of LGBT people.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, WASHINGTON, DC and NEW YORK, NY– October 27, 2011 – According to the 2011 Out & Equal Workplace Survey, more than a quarter – or 27% – of heterosexuals consider themselves to be an ally of LGBT people. About one in five, 22%, heterosexuals are not at all sure. These heterosexual allies are more likely support equal workplace policies, with a strong majority, 63%, favoring written nondiscrimination policies compared to only 27% of those that do not identify as allies. When asked if they favor written nondiscrimination policies that include gender identity, more than half – or 56% – of heterosexual LGBT allies agreed, compared to 26% of non-allies.

“Advancing issues that are important to the LGBT community require the support and collaboration of straight allies who share the virtues of workplace equality,” said Myron E. (Mike) Ullman, III, chairman and chief executive officer of jcpenney. “Leaders are instrumental to this dynamic by creating an environment where barriers and solutions are openly discussed – reinforcing the notion that everyone plays a role in being a conduit for change.”

Mr. Ullman is one of the keynote speakers on the final day of this year’s Out & Equal Workplace Summit, considered the world’s premier conference on LGBT workplace equality and attracting thousands of participants.

The 2011 Out & Equal Workplace Survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive® in conjunction with Out & Equal Workplace Advocates and Witeck-Combs Communications, among 2,610 U.S. adults, of whom 2,238 indicated they are heterosexual and 304 self-identified as LGBT. Beginning in 2002, this survey has become a trusted annual barometer of attitudes surrounding LGBT issues in the workplace and is the longest-running national survey of its kind.

Looking further into the differences between those that identify as allies and those that do not, we found that 45% of heterosexual LGBT allies keep informed on LGBT issues, compared to only 7% of non-allies. When asked about policies that protect transgender workers, almost nine out of ten, 87%, of heterosexual LGBT allies agreed, compared to only 68% of non-allies, that an employee should be judged on their performance, not whether or not they are transgender.

Perhaps most encouraging, allies are more likely to get involved when they see inequality in action.
A strong majority, 64%, of heterosexual LGBT allies speak up against anti-LGBT discussions when they hear them, compared to only 16% of non-LGBT allies. Also, three out of five – or 60% – of heterosexual LGBT allies speak up or report it when they hear anti-gay remarks at work, compared to only 14% of non- allies.

The Out & Equal Workplace Summit is being held October 25-28 in Dallas, TX, at the Hilton Anatole. LGBT employees and straight allies, along with human resources and diversity professionals, representing some of the nation’s leading companies—a majority from the Fortune 500—are set to participate in this year’s summit, focused on achieving workplace equality.

For more information about the Summit or to register, please visit www.outandequal.org.

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TABLE 1
ALLIES OF LGBT PEOPLE
Do you consider yourself to be an ally of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people?

Base: All adults

	Total	Sexual orientation
	Total	GLBT	Gay/Lesbian	Heterosexual
Yes	30%	83%	90%	27%
No	48%	10%	3%	51%
Not at all sure	21%	7%	7%	22%

Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding

TABLE 2A
NONDISCRIMINATION POLICIES – SEXUAL ORIENTATION
How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

“I favor written nondiscrimination policies that include sexual orientation.”

Base: All adults

	Total	GLBT	Gay/Lesbian	Heterosexual	Heterosexual Allies of LGBT people
	Total	GLBT	Gay/Lesbian	Heterosexual	Ally	Not an ally
AGREE (NET)	41%	72%	85%	39%	63%	27%
Strongly agree	26%	58%	77%	24%	45%	15%
Somewhat agree	15%	14%	8%	15%	18%	13%
Neither agree nor disagree	25%	15%	7%	25%	16%	29%
DISAGREE (NET)	12%	4%	1%	13%	8%	17%
Somewhat disagree	4%	1%	*	5%	2%	6%
Strongly disagree	8%	4%	1%	8%	5%	11%
Not applicable	17%	5%	8%	18%	12%	21%
Decline to answer	5%	4%	–	5%	1%	6%

Note: Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding

TABLE 2B
NONDISCRIMINATION POLICIES – GENDER IDENTITY
How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

“I favor written nondiscrimination policies that include gender identity.”