A case study in LGBT research, action and policy: Employment-related discrimination in the Midwest

Background: Many Midwestern states and municipalities do not have employment non-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender (LGBT) persons. In February 2012, an ordinance to create job discrimination protections for LGBT persons was re-introduced to a Midwestern city council in the largest city in the state.

Program Description: A research collaborative had recently conducted a community-based participatory research project to assess the health of the LGBT community. Utilizing local data, the team prepared an addendum to the original community report generated by the study on experienced employment-related discrimination. Of the 770 respondents, 412 (53.3%) were from the city of interest. Many respondents indicated, due to their LGBT identity, having been discriminated against in a job at least once (n = 132, 32.7%), treated unfairly by an employer, boss or supervisor (n = 121, 30.1%) and being treated unfairly by coworkers (n = 137, 33.9%). Key among the findings, those who had experience some form of employment-related discrimination were more likely to have reported higher levels of depressive symptoms.

Lessons Learned: The process of using research to inform policy related to sexual and gender identity will be discussed along with lessons learned from the process. Outcomes of the policy process are still pending as of this writing.

Recommendations: Anticipated recommendations include a need for more community-level data to assist in the advancement of scientifically-based policies related to the health of sexual and gender minorities and the need for researchers to play a visible role in the policy process.