Resources For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Students
The counselors at the CEC are dedicated to creating a safe and affirming environment for LGBTQ students. We want to help you in all aspects of your career decision-making path. We welcome you to make an appointment today! We have included some resources and websites below that can also help you in your major and career exploration.
Want to test your knowledge about LGBTQ issues and the World of Work? Take this short quiz...
Answer each question with a "True" or "False". Keep track of your answers and compare them with the results.
- 98% of the nation’s top Fortune 50 companies now offer non-discrimination policies based on sexual identity.
- Of the top Fortune 50 companies, 76% offer domestic partnership benefits.
- There are over 1,100 federal protections afforded heterosexual married couples.
- It is legal to fire an employee for being gay or lesbian in 36 states.
- Gay men earn, on average, 30% less than non-gay men.
- Lesbians earn, on average, 20% more than heterosexual women.
- The following schools in Texas offer domestic partner benefits: Rice, SMU, Southwestern University (Georgetown) Baylor School of Medicine, and Trinity (San Antonio)
- The following companies offer domestic partner benefits: IBM, Freescale, Goldman Sachs, Exxon, Accenture, Dell, American Red Cross, ConocoPhillips, J.C, Penney Co, and AT&T.
- Over 9,000 employers in the United States offer domestic partner benefits.
- Average household income for GL households exceeds $58,000 (45% above the national average).
- The gay press is the fastest growing print ad market in the U.S. (faster growth than both mainstream press and other niche markets).
Click here for answers to the quiz
Assessing the Work Environment for LGBTQ Employees
It can be difficult to know if your work environment is safe or even empowering to LGBTQ employees. The following questions may help you to assess your organization.
- Are there persons of power who are out in the organization?
- Are there written rules and policies that protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity?
- Does your organization offer benefits for sexual reassignment surgery?
- Are there gender-neutral bathrooms?
- Does the organization’s search committee consider sexual identity as a desirable characteristic in diversifying its work force?
- If the organization does training on diversity, do they include LGBTQ issues as part of the training?
- Are there any LGBTQ associations or support groups within the organization?
- How does the organization handle conflict around sexual orientation and gender identity?
- Do LGBTQ persons fully participate in all aspects of corporate life, including jobs involving interactions with the public?
- Does the job application have a blank space for gender vs. male/female?
- Are unmarried partners invited to company events?
- How does management handle heterosexist or homophobic humor?
- Does the organization have policies to easily change gender on the organization’s documents?
- Does the organization publicly support LGBTQ rights?
- Does the organization’s charitable foundations give to relevant causes?
- Is there company support for individuals with HIV/AIDS?
- Does your organization have domestic partner benefits? If so, what are the domestic partner benefits?
UT Resources and Websites
- Gender and Sexuality Center:
http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/gsc/ - queerTX:
http://www.queerTX.org/ - Women and Gender Studies:
http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/cwgs/
Other Resources
- Human Rights Campaign:
http://www.hrc.org/ - Gayjob.biz:
http://www.gayjob.biz/ - National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association:
http://www.nlgja.org/ - Austin Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce:
http://www.aglcc.org/ - PlanetOut.com:
http://www.planetout.com/pno/ - Transgender Issues in the Workplace (pdf)
Answers to the LGBTQ and Career Quiz: ALL ANSWERS ARE TRUE