It not uncommon during one of my corporate workshops to hear someone say, “Sexual orientation is about what goes on behind closed doors and has nothing to do with work.”

Let’s look at it from a heterosexual perspective.  Heterosexual people are very “out of the closet” as heterosexual at work.  Without even thinking about it they share all sorts of information related to their sexual orientation. For example:

• whether they are married or in a relationship
• the name of their partner
• what they did over the weekend
• where the next vacation is
• if they had a fight the night before

Their spouses call them at work and meet their co-workers.  Their pictures are on their desks.  They wear wedding rings and invite colleagues to their engagement events.  Heterosexuals are out of the closet many times and all day long at work.

Why is this important?  Why do heterosexuals come out at work?  They do it to improve the work environment, be more productive and build good working relationships. To build rapport and trust we need to get to know each other.  This personal bonding helps the work get done in a team environment.  Coming out at work is a win-win; especially when looked at from a heterosexual perspective.

LGB inclusion is about creating an inclusive environment where lesbian, gay and bisexual people feel comfortable doing the same things that their heterosexual peers are already doing.  Everyone reaps the same benefit for themselves and the organization.  Win-win.  Nothing more, nothing less.