Why LGBTQ-Inclusive Corporate Policies Matter So Much

Mississippi has a new law which fully legalizes discrimination. Although this law is a bit redundant, since people who are LGBTQ already have zero protections in Mississippi, this "religious freedom" law is an example of the types of bills being written and laws being passed in other states as well. I’m sure you heard the controversy over North Carolina’s HB2 law requiring transgender guests to use the restroom based on the gender on their birth certificate. Although this law was repealed and replaced with a new, "improved" law HB12, the new law remains similarly discriminatory towards transgender people.


Folks who are transgender may or may not choose to transition. The process of transitioning from male to female or female to male is purely optional. It's also expensive, time consuming and there are many trans people who do not have the resources to medically transition. Some trans folks might identify as non-binary and have no intention of going on hormones or undergoing any other procedures for transition.

For these folks who are not planning to medically transition and legally update their gender marker, these discriminatory bills and laws may be particularly scary. Essentially, these laws require someone to use the restroom of the gender on their birth certificate, regardless of whether or not that is how they currently identify. With laws like this increasingly acceptable, it's important for companies to step up and provide protections for transgender employees and guests.

Does your company have an inclusive restroom policy? Has your company made arrangements to ensure that your transgender guests and associates can feel safe?