skill sets for your organization.’” He says that some students worry about vocational stereotypes, such as gay men being perceived as more suitable for feminine jobs and lesbians being perceived as more suitable for masculine ones. Those concerns may have historical roots. LGBTQ historians have found that gays often pursued some vocations, such as floral design and hairdressing, out of a necessity to be self-employed. Joel Simkhai, founder and CEO of the online gay social network Grindr said as much in a recent Inc.com interview. Before starting Grindr, Simkhai said he questioned whether his sexual orientation might prevent him from being successful in the corporate world.
Nurturing Children to Enlightened Adolescence Is holding an Admissions Lottery Date April 8, 2014 @ 5PM Location Central Library Kate Gleason Auditorium 115 South Avenue Rochester, NY 14604 Seats Available Kindergarten: 66 First Grade: 66 Second Grade: 44
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Riley Folds tells students that being gay is only one part of a person’s identity, and that it doesn’t define them. PROVIDED PHOTO
Folds says he urges students not to limit
their career choices because he’s seen a shift in corporate culture during the last 10 years. “Out for Work is supported by about 40 Fortune 500 companies and they come to us to find ways to recruit LGBTQ specific candidates as a component of their diversity recruitment model,” Folds says. “They’re looking for different ways to attract talent other than just going to the college career fairs every year. They want to know how else they can target this community for the jobs they have.” Growth industries like aerospace, health care, and the STEM-related fields are looking for this diverse talent, he says. And some of the push to attract LGBTQ workers comes from employees within these companies. “They want people to know that this is an inclusive place to work, that you can bring your whole self to work, and this is a top organization for LGBTQ individuals,” he says.
Students also have to do their homework, Folds says. For example, when working with students who are pursuing careers in education, he says, they should know if the state or municipality provides protections for LGBTQ individuals. “What is the district’s nondiscrimination policy?” Folds says. “Are there any LGBTQ groups within the system? Can you network with other individuals within that school to find out what the climate is for someone who identifies as LGBTQ?” Though Folds says he doesn’t tell students they can’t be closeted, he does say that it may be getting harder due to social media. And being closeted carries its own message. “We’re not saying you should be running in with your rainbow flag every day,” he says. “But just being yourself and taking your whole self to work benefits both the employee and the employer.”
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CITY 7