LGBTQIA Best Practices

Best Practices for Inclusive Programming

• Ask participants to share pronouns when introducing themselves (note that best practice is to use the language of “pronouns” rather than “preferred pronouns”)

• Use gender-neutral language when referring to a group (e.g. use “everyone” or “students” rather than “ladies and gentlemen” or “you guys”)

• Avoid making assumptions about someone’s gender identity or pronouns based on appearance

• Share the location of gender-neutral restrooms when hosting in-person events

• Acknowledge homophobia, transphobia, and heteronormativity as common experiences in academic spaces

• Use inclusive and open-ended questions when collecting gender identification and/or sexual orientation data

• Avoid using gender to split students into groups during workshops and events

• Work with your campus LGBTQIA center to develop your understanding of the needs of the populations on your campus and to develop programs that serve LGBTQIA students

• Include LGBTQIA alumni and role models when developing panels and programs

• Acknowledge that LGBTQIA students face unique challenges:

  • Determining whether to be “out” in their academic communities and on the job market

  • Being misgendered

  • Experiencing gender - and sexual orientation-based harassment

  • Experiencing higher rates of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts in comparison with other student populations

  • Experiencing higher rates of substance abuse and homelessness than other populations

Suggested Reading

• Gedro J. LGBT Career Development. Advances in Developing Human Resources. 2009;11(1):54-66. https://doi.org/10.1177/1523422308328396

• Margaret S. Schneider PhD & Anne Dimito PhD (2010) Factors Influencing the Career and Academic Choices of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People, Journal of Homosexuality, 57:10, 1355-1369, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00918369.2010.517080

• Teich, Nicholas. 2012. Transgender 101: A Simple Guide to a Complex Issue. Columbia University Press.

• Folds, Riley B. 2013. Your Queer Career. Magnus Books.

• Sanchez, Nelson F., Rankin, Susan, Callahan, Edward, Ng, Henry, Holaday, Louisa, McIntosh, Kadian, Poll-Hunter, Norma, Sanchez, John Paul. 2015. “LGBT Trainee and Health Professional Perspectives on Academic Careers- Facilitators and Challenges.” LGBT Health 2(4): 346-356.

• Speciale, Mark & Scholl, Megan. (2019). LGBTQ Affirmative Career Counseling: An Intersectional Perspective. Career Development Network Journal, 35(1), 22-35.

Created by Dr. Brandy Simula | Georgia Institute of Technology