This document provides an overview of workforce diversity as it relates to sexual orientation and gender identity. It begins with a poll asking participants about their personal experiences with LGBT individuals. Some key definitions are then presented, distinguishing between sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. The presenter shares some aspects of their own identity and discusses the concept of identity more broadly. The document also explores terminology within the LGBTQIA community and presents a hypothetical case study scenario to discuss approaches to handling conflicts related to gender identity in the workplace.

1. Workforce Diversity
Looking at Sexual Orientation & Identity
Jeffrey Zacko-Smith, M.P.A., Ed.D

2. What is Significant About This
Particular Moment?

3. A Quick Poll . . .
We’re not going to ask anyone
to come out of the closet. 
How many of you, by a show of
hands, can say that they know
someone personally,
professionally or both, who
identifies as gay, lesbian,
bisexual or transgender?
Lastly, is there anyone (besides
me) who is willing to identify as
LGBT with us in the room
today?
Note that if you are in the room
with us, but do not choose to
self-identify, you can still be
completely proud to be exactly
who you are!
Coming to terms with an identity
can take time and patience.
The statistics vary due to the
multiple definitions of “gay,
lesbian or bisexual” used, but
surveys conducted historically
in the United States show that
anywhere from 3.8% of the
population, to 1 in every 10 or
1 in every 20 people self-
identify as G, L, or Bisexual.
Surveys like this are notoriously
difficult to tabulate due to their
personal nature and the flawed
results often obtained through
self-reporting.
What’s the point?
You likely know a person who
carries gay, lesbian or
bisexual identity – if not more
than one!

4. What is Sexual
Orientation?
"Sexual orientation" is the preferred term used
when referring to an individual's physical and/or
emotional attraction to the same and/or opposite
gender. "Gay," "lesbian," "bisexual" and "straight"
are all examples of sexual orientations. A person's
sexual orientation is distinct from a person's gender
identity and expression.
How does it differ from gender identity and gender
expression?

5. Gender Identity vs. Gender
Expression
The term "gender identity"
is distinct from the term
"sexual orientation," and
refers to a person's innate,
deeply felt psychological
identification as a man,
woman or some other
gender, which may or may
not correspond to the sex
assigned to them at birth
(e.g., the sex listed on
their birth certificate).
This is where the “T”
comes in.
Gender expression refers
to all of the external
characteristics and
behaviors that are socially
defined as either
masculine or feminine,
such as dress, grooming,
mannerisms, speech
patterns and social
interactions. Social or
cultural norms can vary
widely and some
characteristics that may
be accepted as masculine,
feminine or neutral in one
culture may not be
assessed similarly in
another.
Source: http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-terminology-and-definitions

6. Who am I? What is my
Story?
Why I’m Qualified to Talk to You About this Stuff
Some Identities:
Educated
Only child
Gay
Partnered
Middle Class
Lebanese
Short
Male
Buddhist

7. “The single best thing about coming out of the
closet is that nobody can insult you by telling you
what you've just told them.” ~ Rachel Maddow
The concept of identity –
what is it, what are the
implications? Note: there
can be sub-identities within
our larger, personal identity
(identity in this case gets at
answering the “who am I?”
question).
We all carry various
identities (sexual
orientation is but one);
these are not static, but
flexible and “unfolding”.
This means that they
sometimes reveal
themselves slowly over
time, or even change
completely.
IDENTITY EXERCISE! The
possibilities are endless . .
. think and share.
Hidden identities can
lead to oppression!

8. Break Time!

9. As 21st Century Leaders Called to “Model
The Way” we Need to Change How we See
Ourselves . . . and One Another!

10. (LGBT)QQIAA – say what?
Lesbian – A homosexual woman (woman who loves and is attracted to other women).
Gay – A homosexual man (man who loves and is attracted to other men).
Bisexual – An individual attracted to both sexes, sometimes equally sometimes not.
Transgender - A term for people whose gender identity, expression or behavior is different from those typically
associated with their assigned sex at birth. Transgender is a broad term and is good for non-transgender people to
use. “Trans” is shorthand for “transgender.”
Queer - A term used to refer to lesbian, gay, bisexual and, often also transgender, people. Some use queer as an
alternative to “gay” in an effort to be more inclusive. Depending on the user, the term has either a derogatory or an
affirming connotation, as many have sought to reclaim the term that was once widely used in a negative way.
Questioning - The process of exploring/discovering one's own sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender
expression.
Intersex - A term used for people who are born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy and/or chromosome pattern
that does not seem to fit typical definitions of male or female.
Asexual - a person who is not interested in or does not desire sexual activity, either within or outside of a
relationship. Asexuality is not the same as celibacy, which is the willful decision to not act on sexual feelings.
asexuals, while not physically sexual-type folks, are none the less quite capable of loving, affectionate, romantic ties
to others.
Allied - Typically any non-LGBT person who supports and stands up for the rights of LGBT people, though LGBT
people can be allies, such as a lesbian who is an ally to a transgender person.

11. Yeah, it really gets
complicated!
http://internationalspectrum.umich.edu/life/definitions

12. What you are (L) and are not
(R) being asked to do . . .
Keep an open mind.
Approach people without
making assumptions.
Model the way for others.
Be a lifelong learner and
open to new information.
Think critically.
Realize that language
matters.
Value everyone’s story.
Be an activist.
Agree (we can listen and be
respectful and still disagree).
Have a complete understanding
of issues faced by the LGBT
Community.
Have a complete understanding
of terminology.
Be embarrassed about asking
questions, learning and making
mistakes.
Have all the answers.

13. A Case Study –What Would You Do?
A female staff member
in your organization is
upset that a
transsexual woman
who also works in the
department is using
the women’s restrooms
in the building. She
complains to you (her
boss) about being
made uncomfortable
by “that man in
the bathroom.”
How do you respond to her
and address this conflict?
In small groups, brainstorm how
to handle the situation and
create/document a plan of action
(POA); list a “top 5” things to be
considered, and an action step
or two related to each item
chosen.
Things to consider would be
organizational precedent,
organizational guidelines &
policies, state/federal legal
implications, any organizational
and community stakeholders
involved, and organizational
economic implications, among
others.
Feel free to use the internet or
other available resources.

14. Questions? Ideas?
Feedback?