Safety Leadership

Half of Business Leaders Believe Discrimination Against LGBTQIA+ Employees Is More Common

June 6, 2025

By 2030, an estimated 10 million LGBTQIA+ workers are expected to enter the U.S. workforce.

Things have changed in the workplace since the election of President Trump. A new survey from ResumeTemplates.com found that 15% of business leaders say respect for LGBTQIA+ employees in their workplace has declined since the 2024 election.

Since the election, 25% of companies have scaled back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.

Among those companies, 59% report less focus on hiring LGBTQIA+ employees, and 59% say there is less emphasis on creating LGBTQIA+-inclusive environments. And fewer companies are recognizing Pride Month this year. While 40% of business leaders say their company celebrated Pride in 2024, just 35% say their company will participate in June 2025.

Additionally, 23% have noticed an increase in anti-LGBTQIA+ comments or sentiments at work. And 22% say employees are now less likely to face consequences for expressing discriminatory views. Another survey found that number to be higher, with 47% of LGBTQ+ employees saying they have experienced discrimination or harassment at work.

“Without organizational support, workplaces become less equipped to support inclusivity. Bias and hostility still exist, and without internal resources and accountability, they become harder to combat,” says Julia Toothacre, chief career strategist at ResumeTemplates, in a statement.

Business Impact

"The need for safe, supportive and equitable work environments has never been more urgent," said the Health Action Alliance.

They pointed out the following statistics.

By 2030, an estimated 10 million LGBTQ+ workers are expected to enter the U.S. workforce.

And where they decide to work is based on an inclusive culture., In an article from the Center for American Progress, 40% of potential employees made specific decisions about where to work to avoid discrimination.

For those allies of this community in the workforce, 72% say they are more likely to accept a job at a business that supports LGBTQ+ employees.

And for those already in the workforce, 36% of LGBTQ+ workers are considering leaving their jobs in 2025, up from 21% in 2024.

However, when these workers find a supportive culture, 97% plan to stay with their current employer. This lack of turnover due to an inclusive culture saves Fortune 500 companies up to 4.2 million annually.