How cascading homophobia affects the LGBT pay gap
Despite the Supreme Court ruling in favor of LGBTQ workplace protections, homophobia in the workplace has not gone away. Businesses large and small continue to suffer from increasing homophobia that is negatively impacting our community. Here’s how we can change that.
Learn more about cascading homophobia here Queer money®:
How cascading homophobia prevents equality
In this episode of Queer Money®I introduce the idea of cascading homophobia and explain how it impacts the LGBT pay gap. I share the formal definition of homophobia and describe how decision makers in a company who are not homophobic themselves can allow their decisions to be influenced by leaders who are homophobic.
Next, I provide an example of the increasing homophobia that John and I experienced at Charles Schwab while serving as co-chairs of the company’s LGBT Employee Resource Group. Listen in to understand how cascading homophobia is undermining our ability to earn more, and learn the three things we can do to minimize (and ultimately eliminate) cascading homophobia in the workplace.
Topics covered Cascading homophobia
The formal definition of homophobia
Negative attitudes or feelings toward homosexuality
Contempt or prejudice based on fear and ignorance
The definition of cascading homophobia
Decision maker chooses “path of least resistance”
Influenced by the homophobia of the leadership
Cascading homophobia occurs when a decision maker chooses the path of least resistance and allows his decisions to be influenced by the nuanced or overt homophobia of those above him. – David from Debt Free GuysClick to tweet
The three ways cascading homophobia negatively impacts profitability
1. Caring for the pink blanket
Cascading homophobia maintains the pink ceiling that prevents LGBTQ employees from rising through the ranks of managers, directors, vice presidents, managing partners and above. It limits upward mobility in wages, total compensation, and ownership.
An example of this cascading homophobia effect is when a new lawyer is passed over for promotions or an invitation to become a permanent partner because existing partners are known to be homophobic or regularly demean members of the community.
2. Missed opportunities to shine
From not being invited to happy hours with the boss to preventing high-profile projects, cascading homophobia takes all opportunities off the table for LGBTQ employees.
An example of this cascading homophobia effect is when a person is consistently passed over for projects that are known to be homophobic, or for opportunities such as leading or leading teams, mentorship, or contributing to a diversity of thought.
3. Systemic suppression of abilities
The country is talking a lot about systemic oppression lately, and LGBTQ workers have too much experience with it. The more different the workers look and live, the more difficult it is – even today – to get ahead.
An example of this effect of cascading homophobia is when neither upward nor lateral movement is encouraged, made available, or denied, which prevents the individual from learning new skills such as management or fast-growing areas of the company, which deprives the individual of consistent and ongoing commitments ties erode income.
How to minimize or eliminate cascading homophobia
1. Promote community through an LGBT business or advocacy group
Work with your company’s LGBTQ business resource/affinity group to continually promote queer people and their work as valuable to the company.
2. Share the idea of spreading homophobia with your allies
Share the idea of the spread of homophobia with our allies so that they become aware and how they can highlight the value of diversity and reduce expressed homophobia or harassing comments/jokes.
3. Reward companies that support the community
Reward and talk about companies whose leadership is clearly LGBTQ-focused and whose leaders express appreciation for and support LGBTQ people.
Vote with your pink dollars. Sharing or thanking companies that support the community is one of the best ways to drive company-level progress in our direction.
Hear 3 more ways to get more from your Pink Dollars:
Cascading Homophobia Resources
Learn more about the impact of cascading homophobia in this video with Prudential: