Unlocking the corporate closet

Human resource professionals are having to deal with the issue of employees' sexual orientation. The key to handling this sensitive subject is to present it as part of ongoing diversity efforts. A traditional approach to understanding a segment of the workforce involves going to members of that segment to gather information and look for patterns of discrimination. But the fact that many gay and lesbian employees in the workplace are "in the closet" - not open about their own sexual orientation - makes such an approach difficult. Once an organization acknowledges the value of its gay and lesbian employees, the challenge is in finding ways to create a more open climate. The key to unlocking the corporate closet is to end the cycle of silence, secrecy, and invisibility that many homosexuals and heterosexuals support, either knowingly or unknowingly. Just talking about the issues is a valuable first step.