Is there still a "Rainbow Ceiling"?

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  Nov 04, 2010 4:19 AM GMT

  In other words, are LGBT individuals still hampered in their upward career movement because of their dimension of diversity in sexual orientation?
  
  Does anybody know of a national or international organization that is focused on the professional and leadership development of LBGT individuals?

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  Nov 04, 2010 5:08 AM GMT

  I would assume it depends on the career. I work in real estate and there seems to be little, if any, prejudice in the industry. There are gay men in my area who are among some of the top producing agents (making over $1,000,000 yearly). However, I would imagine that in some industries (sports agents, just as an example) there is a "rainbow ceiling" that you'd hit almost immediately.

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  Nov 04, 2010 5:46 AM GMT

  I agree with travelfan and would like to add on location as well. My dream job is in the courts and in a state like Virginia I sometimes worry if my orientation would affect my job.
  
  Oh and here's an organization for LGBT equality in the workforce.
  http://outandequal.org/

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  Nov 04, 2010 6:22 AM GMT

  Oh hell yes! You have to work in one of the gay Industries for their not to be.

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  Nov 04, 2010 10:50 AM GMT

  Yes it definitely exists... it's more commonly referred to as the pink plateau over here...
  
  But there are organisations that seek to change this...
  
  In the UK there is Stonewall... the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index is a measure for companies to test the degree to which they are truly embracing diversity...
  
  See http://www.stonewall.org.uk/workplace/1477.asp
  
  In Australia there is Pride in Diversity... they are currently developing a national Diversity Index, similar to the Stonewall Index... the company I work for is a founding member of this organisation... I represent my company at their events... the end goal for the Diversity Index is to have it advertised as another measure of each organisations success... much the same way that the Dow Jones Sustainability Index is used these days...
  
  See http://www.prideindiversity.com.au/
  
  Happy reading!

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  Nov 04, 2010 2:49 PM GMT

  Caslon16000 saidOh hell yes! You have to work in one of the gay Industries for their not to be.

  
  
  I guess telecom and tourism are gay industries then because I haven't seen evidence of it. Maybe if you were either very flamboyant or made a habit of interjecting issues of sexuality inappropriately it would have an impact, but I've been with the same Fortune-50 company for a long time and there are out gay people at various levels of management; I don't see them advancing at a noticeably lower rate than straight people. It doesn't become an issue unless you make it one (which is not the same thing as saying you have to be closeted). Of course that's one person's experience in one company, but I am connected to the tourism industry also and don't see it as much of an issue there either. My ex has a high-ranking position at a cruise line and to my knowledge he makes no secret of his orientation.

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  Nov 04, 2010 3:03 PM GMT

  I'm fortunate enough to have a job that allows me to be open, and still lets me advance.
  In other areas of the aviation industry (as a pilot), you have to keep your sex life private to advance, unless you're just a really super awesome pilot with mad skills that they can't do without.
  Ironically, the best two pilots where I work are gay. The rest of them suck baws.

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  Nov 04, 2010 5:22 PM GMT

  Well. What can I say. My experience is there is no single affirmative action program in place anywhere on the globe specifically for LGBT folks in a public company. On the other hand......... you will not report to me and be on my management team unless you are GAY.
  
  The rainbow ceiling currently rules for the flamboyant out gay man. After all, such a gay man might also have the disadvantage of being extremely liberal.
  
  Would you trust him with your checkbook?

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  Nov 04, 2010 10:48 PM GMT

  I'm not sure if my employers know that I'm gay, being as I don't talk about dating or sex at work. I tend to keep things strictly professional at whatever office I'm working at. Give it a shot, your employers will love you for it.

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