The LGBTQ+ community has more than doubled since 2012, per Gallup data; 9% of U.S. adults now identify as LGBTQ+, which rises to 23% for 18- to 29- year-olds. While the community is growing and becoming more visible, the decision among LGBTQ+ employees to disclose their identities at work is a complicated one.
“It comes from a place of defense and protection,” said Matt Gibson, account manager, Movers+Shakers. “It’s very, very easy for your mind to drift to the extreme; the worst outcome of ‘they’re not going to like who I am.’”
It was not illegal in the U.S. to discriminate against employees based on sexual orientation and gender identity until 2020, and the recency of these policies leaves LGBTQ+ people across industries navigating the choice with caution. Here’s how three LGBTQ+ Gen Zers in advertising have approached the conversation.
Taking the first step
When he first entered the workforce, Gibson was hesitant to disclose his sexuality. He told Campaign he looked to leadership for guidance before approaching the decision.
But not every member of the LGBTQ+ in advertising takes an umbrella approach. Matthew Conrado, founder and CEO, Alphabet Mafia Consultancy, told Campaign he often had to “code switch” depending on who he was working with before starting his own company.
Katie Elkind, people and culture manager at Open Influence, said a small community of LGBTQ+ employees were already “out and proud” at her agency, which gave her the sense of security to be open about herself.
“Find your one person who you’re close enough to who can help [boost your] confidence,” she said. “That’s always helpful when you can find your fellow queers, knowing how much they love the community and how much the community loves them.”
Identity as a professional edge
Having worked at Movers+Shakers since 2022, Gibson learned that not being true to himself was a detriment not only to his personal identity but to his professional life when interacting with clients.
“I [infused] tidbits of my own personality, [and] found I was able to receive that
same value in return from clients and team members,” he said. “When others around you see you leading with your true self and authenticity, it allows them to do the same.”
Elkind notes that how open she is about her LGBTQ+ identity with her clients varies depending on her relationship with them and how naturally the topic comes up.
When they do decide to share, talent across the industry agrees that it can elevate their work. “The more yourself you are, the better at work you are,” Conrado added.
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